Sydney’s new Central Station Metro has won the 2025 Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence, the top global honour presented by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). The award, announced on 14 November 2025 at the organisation’s annual Structural Awards in London, places Australia firmly among world leaders in infrastructure design and sustainable engineering.

Now in its 56th year, the Structural Awards recognise outstanding achievements in structural engineering worldwide. In a highly competitive field, Central Station Metro was selected for its innovative design, technical ambition and the strength of its engineering execution.

The project was delivered by the Aurecon and GHD Joint Venture (AGJV), recognised by judges for “their exemplary and thoughtful structural planning and technical leadership of this major project”.

A Landmark for Sydney’s Expanding Metro Network

Central Station Metro integrates a new underground station and pedestrian connections beneath Australia’s busiest transport interchange. It forms part of the $21 billion Sydney Metro City & Southwest line, set to redefine urban mobility once the line opens fully by 2030.

According to judges, engineering design played a defining role in the project’s success.

“The structural design shaped the overall outcome, improving accessibility, reducing embodied carbon, and enhancing sightlines, safety, and wayfinding,” they said.

A major factor in the project’s recognition was its top‑down construction methodology, which enabled delivery within tight program constraints. The engineering team also reimagined the reference design, demonstrating how structural strategy can lead major city‑shaping outcomes from below ground up.

Global Recognition for Innovation and Sustainability

Judges highlighted the project’s ambition, complexity and leadership in sustainable design. Professor John Orr, chair of the judging panel, congratulated the Australian team.

“In an incredibly high-calibre playing field, Sydney’s Central Station Metro clinched a very well-deserved victory.”

He said the panel was impressed by the refinement and enhancement of the original design, noting the team’s focus on reusability and demountability as examples of “intelligent problem-solving that delivers lasting value in construction”.

Orr added that the 2025 awards showcased a wide range of innovative projects around the world, with strong themes of material efficiency, circular design and low‑carbon construction.

Strong Talent Across the 2025 Award Winners

In addition to the Supreme Award, 10 other projects were honoured from a shortlist of 34. Winners included major international firms and emerging practices such as:

• Curtins
• Structure Workshop
• Latéral
• Fast + Epp Structural Engineers
• schlaich bergermann partner (sbp)
• Arcplus Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research
• Atelier One
• Arup
• Webb Yates Engineers
• R.V. Anderson Associates

Projects ranged from seismic‑resilient structures to resource‑efficient buildings and regenerative urban developments.

A Continuing Rise for Australian Infrastructure

The recognition of Central Station Metro adds to a string of strong performances by Australian projects on the global stage, underscoring Australia’s reputation for delivering adaptable, low‑carbon and technically ambitious urban infrastructure.

 

Source: Build Australia / Sage Media Group

 

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