Year:
2024
Text description from the architects. Sydney Metro is Australia’s largest infrastructure project. When completed, Sydney will have 31 underground stations and more than 66 kilometres of new underground rail, providing a world-class transport solution for a global city. The Central Station serves 96 per cent of Sydney’s rail traffic and forms the backbone of the entire rail network. The upgrade will provide the ability to carry 40,000 underground passengers per hour – a 60 per cent increase over current capacity.
This century upgrade was delivered by Laing O’Rourke and designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan Partners. John Prentice, Director and Head of Transport at Woods Bagot, says: “The design vision and approach puts the customer experience at the heart of the transformation.”
“The implementation of open spaces such as the new roof and surfaces of the northern station hall and the central walkway significantly improve the transport connections and legibility of the station. The result is a station design that is easy and intuitive to use for all customers, regardless of the mode of transport used.”
“The new subway and station installations are purposeful, functional and sculpturally designed to complement the historic qualities of the original station. The choice of materials places the proposals in their local context and brings a civic quality to the new station works,” adds Prentice.
The core of the modernization is the construction of two new underground platforms, strategically positioned below the existing intercity platforms 13 and 14. This extension will create an important transfer hub that connects the new underground with the existing S-Bahn, intercity and regional transport.
Another key element of the upgrade is the new Central Walk, a 19-metre-wide underground concourse designed to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian flow. The walkway connects Chalmers Street and the Sydney Light Rail directly to the new subway platforms and provides easier access to platforms 16-23. Escalators and lifts to the Suburban platforms have been installed for the first time in Central Walk.
Domenic Alvaro, Global Design Director, says: “The choice of elements and materials for Central is informed by a deep nostalgia for Sydney’s history. The seamless commuter experience enabled by the human-centered design rivals iconic stations in major cities around the world – creating a station that Sydney (and Australia) deserves.”
The modernization of the station is unified by the new North-South Hall and the renovated North Hall, replacing dark pedestrian tunnels with a light-filled public space in the tradition of the world’s great railway halls. New connections significantly improve orientation and navigation for users and permeability between the surrounding districts is improved.
Troy Uleman, director of McAslan + Partners’ Sydney studio, says: “The redesigned Northern Concourse has created a new centrepiece for Central that respects the station’s existing Edwardian architecture. The new roof sensitively intersects and contrasts with the historic sandstone buildings, while kite-shaped skylights create a unique sense of place.”
Through clever design and industry collaboration, the new Central Station Metro has achieved a 6-star Green Star Design and As-Built certification. The refurbished station pictured above has achieved a leading Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating. The new Metro offers significantly reduced journey times through its driverless train network: from Central Station, it takes 4 minutes to Martin Place, 9 minutes to North Sydney and just 15 minutes to Chatswood.
