The
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has announced the winners of the Structural Awards 2025, a global celebration of the most remarkable achievements in structural engineering.
In a hotly contested year, Sydney’s new Central Station Metro secured the
2025 Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence with the collaborative team Aurecon and GHD Joint Venture recognised for their exemplary and thoughtful structural planning and technical leadership of this major project.
A landmark in Australia’s continuing story of structural engineering excellence, this major addition to Sydney’s underground metro system integrates a new station and pedestrian tunnels beneath Australia’s busiest rail terminal.
What really set this apart from other similar projects was the structural design, which shaped the overall outcome, improving accessibility, reducing embodied carbon, and enhancing sightlines, safety, and wayfinding. Taking a closer look, the ingenious top-down construction method and reimagining of the reference design really showed how structural engineers can lead high-impact infrastructure from below ground and upwards.
Assessed across four key pillars -
Planet,
People,
Process, and
Profession - this year’s Supreme Award winner reflects IStructE’s evolving focus on the environmental and societal role of structural engineers. Particularly, the judges singled out the ambition of the design and complexity of the work undertaken, exemplifying thoughtful structural planning and clear technical leadership.
In addition to the Supreme Award, 10 other projects from the 34 strong shortlist were recognised for their significant contributions to structural engineering, showcasing specific excellence, including innovation and social impact. High levels of sustainability were also regarded as a standout criterion, celebrating those projects which demonstrated the integration of environmentally friendly solutions, with a particular focus on reducing embodied carbon in construction.
The winning firms represent some of the best-known names and emerging players in global structural engineering, comprising the likes of: Curtins, Aurecon and GHD Joint Venture (AGJV), Structure Workshop, Latéral, Fast + Epp Structural Engineers, schlaich bergermann partner (sbp), Arcplus Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd, Atelier One, Arup, Webb Yates Engineers and R.V. Anderson Associates.
This diverse mix not only showcases a wide variety of exceptional contributions to the field, but also how rich and vibrant the world’s structural engineering community is.
Professor John Orr, chair of the judging panel and Chartered member of the IStructE, commented on this year’s winners:
“In an incredibly high-calibre playing field, Sydney’s Central Station Metro clinched a very well-deserved victory. My fellow judges and I could not help but be impressed by the way the engineers refined and improved the project’s reference design and how they introduced a fiendishly clever top-down sequence to meet demanding programme constraints. With reusability and demountability also carefully considered, the overall structure demonstrated how intelligent problem-solving can shape construction and achieve long-term value.”
“Yet again, this year’s awards also recognised a wealth of other inspiring projects, all characterised by their intelligent use of materials, circular design principles, and low-carbon construction. Our judging framework, focused on key attributes, highlights how structural engineers are driving innovation towards a safer, more sustainable built environment.”
The winners were announced on 14 November 2025 during the awards ceremony in London.
A full list of winners and project highlights can be found here:
https://www.istructe.org/structural-awards/home/
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