World Square plaza would be closed to the heavens with a rooftop canopy doubling as an Indigenous-inspired "public artwork", under plans lodged with the City of Sydney council.

The $13 million proposal would see an awning constructed using four transparent glass shelves, allowing sunlight into the plaza but protecting it from the elements.

A rooftop canopy would be illuminated at night, under a $13 million proposal for the World Square shopping centre.

It has been proposed partly to protect the public from "falling projectiles", following an incident in 2016 when a man reportedly threw objects off an 18th-storey balcony overlooking World Square, before himself falling into the forecourt.

"In this instance, there were no injuries recorded to bystanders, however, it is possible that in the future falling objects could reach the plaza and cause significant injury to people," a statement of environmental effects said.