Western Sydney Airport Metro Line
Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport is a city-shaping, 23 kilometre fully automated metro that connects St Marys with Bradfield via the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The line is designed to become the transport spine for Greater Western Sydney, supporting the success of the Western Parkland City through fast, safe and reliable services.
Atelier Ten was engaged through SMEC to lead environmental design and Green Star delivery for the Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) package. The sustainability scope combined six stations, a stabling and maintenance facility, and associated line-wide rail systems.
As a core member of the design joint venture, Atelier Ten was embedded in decision making workflows to translate ambitious requirements into practical solutions. Sustainability underpinned the design response, shaping energy and carbon outcomes, water strategy, materials selection, biodiversity uplift, and the experience of stations as public places.
SSTOM implemented an outcomes-based strategy at every location, aiming for Green Star Buildings 5 Star ratings for all stations and supporting structures. With the design programme completed in 18 months, robust management systems were essential to support concurrent delivery across multiple sites. Atelier Ten aligned delivery through the creation of a universal initiatives-register which enabled accurate progress reporting. Clearly defined ownership also encouraged teams to identify solutions specific to each site. Atelier Ten collaborated with the Green Building Council of Australia to address technical issues and ensure uniform standards of evidence.
The strategy emphasised all-electric operations and optimised energy efficiency. Building modelling provided insights for envelope and services decisions, facilitating a pathway to enhanced performance. On-site solar photovoltaic systems were integrated where practicable. High-efficiency fixtures minimise water usage, with rainwater collected for toilet flushing, irrigation, washdown, and heat rejection processes. Life cycle assessment and carbon analysis informed responsible procurement, favouring low-carbon materials and products – such as low-GWP refrigerants – underpinned by verified data. Along the rail corridor, biodegradable void formers were employed in select civil components to reduce concrete and steel use, thereby limiting excavation and transportation requirements. Landscape and public realm strategies promoted ecological value and placemaking through indigenous vegetation, habitat enhancements, and heat mitigation initiatives, while cultural engagement contributed to a station experience grounded in Country and identity.
The project delivered more than 130 sustainability actions, including photovoltaics, rainwater harvesting and lower‑carbon materials. It also left a coordinated, evidence‑ready delivery pathway that enabled measurable outcomes at scale across multiple buildings, design packages and stakeholder interfaces.
Key Collaborators:
• End Client: Sydney Metro (Transport for NSW)
• Client Consortium: Parklife Metro (Plenary, WeBuild)
• Design Joint Venture (DJV): SMEC and Arup
• Collaborators: Robert Bird Group, Surbana Jurong, KTP, Hassell
• Renders by Doug & Wolfe