The new 2,240sqm roof for Sydney’s Central Station is starting to take shape.

Designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners, a dominant feature of the roof are the skylights. Shaped like kites, they admit daylight into the new concourse, helping cement it as a clear orienting space joining all the parts of the station together.

Manufactured and pre-assembled by a team based in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, the roof is gradually being installed over the Northern Concourse and will be completed at the end of the year.

The lightweight canopy will dramatically over-sail the heart of the station as part of Sydney Metro, joining new and old to create a recognisable place and represent the heritage of Central Station to the people of Sydney.

The roof is 80 metres long and 40 metres wide and extends from the northern end of Platform 8 to Platform 16. It also allows natural light to filter through to the platforms 16 metres below. Equally, it rises 16m above the concourse, becoming a landmark covered public space which will be the centre-piece of the refurbished station.