Structural engineering in a live operating environment: Central Station Metro

Recognised by IStructE as the winner of the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence 2025. The project was awarded for exceptional ingenuity and technical excellence delivered in a live, high-risk environment through engineering leadership.  

The presenters outline the main design drivers and how the structural response was developed and implemented for the following areas: 

1. Construction methodology  

2. Off-site manufacturing

3. Structural engineering in a live environment 

The structural engineering design had a transformative positive impact on project outcomes and the wider community.  

It’s rare that a single structural solution can impact multiple outcomes, such as ease of access for disabled and vision impaired, improved sight lines which reduced the opportunity for crime, higher ceilings improving passenger navigation, sight and safety, in addition to the impact on the program, cost and reduction in embodied carbon.   

The Central Station Metro Sydney project consisted of four main elements: 

• Construction of a 250m x 30m station box, 27m below the active station  

• Construction of a 19m wide pedestrian passage that traverses only 2m below the active suburban rail platforms   

• Underpinning an operational pedestrian tunnel under that traverses the site  

• Complete reconfiguration of the existing heritage northern entrance to the station 

Structural engineering in a live operating environment: Central Station Metro

Speakers

Michael Chernyavsky

Michael Chernyavsky

Associate Structural Engineer, Aurecon

Michael is a Chartered Structural Engineer with experience delivering iconic infrastructure projects across Australia, including Sydney Metro’s Central Station, Sydney Football Stadium, and Bankwest Stadium. As a Lead Design and Site Engineer on these complex projects, Michael integrates architectural goals with construction realities to create innovative, sustainable and cost-effective public infrastructure for Sydney. Michael leads Aurecon’s Modern Methods of Construction Specialist Group and is also an industry partner, mentor, guest lecturer, tutor and research collaborator with leading universities in Australia.

Antonio Lavorato

Antonio Lavorato

Design Director, Aurecon

Tony is Aurecon's Design Director for Structures with 40 years of experience. He has developed expertise in the design of Structures within Transport related precincts. He played key roles in the design and design management of many complex and significant projects. These have included railway stations (Central Station Main Works and Pitt Street Integrated Station Development) and complex Heritage structures including 5 Martin Place and ACT Law Courts. Tony’s skills in structural design are not limited to building types and, throughout his career, he has received multiple awards from various engineering and industry bodies for work as diverse as the complex underpinning of heritage buildings, tall buildings and, more recently, transport related projects

Chair: Matthew Byatt

Chair: Matthew Byatt

Director, Subteno

Matt is a Co-Founder and Director at Subteno. He is a consulting engineer with widespread experience across the commercial, retail, and industrial sectors in the UK, as well as specialising in brownfield modifications of offshore structures. Matt has been actively involved with the Institution since the mid 1990’s serving on numerous panels and committees as well as being East Anglian Regional Group Chairman twice, served on Council and the Board. He was President in 2023 and is now also a Structural Award judge. Matt progressed from becoming an Incorporated Engineer in 1995, to Chartered in 2005 and a Fellow in 2015. In 2014 he was presented with the Institution’s Lewis Kent Award.