Australian software company Atlassian, in partnership with real estate firm Dexus, is behind one of the most ambitious construction projects in the Southern Hemisphere.
Their venture, Atlassian Central, is a 39-storey skyscraper standing 183 metres tall, built using a rare combination of mass timber, concrete, and steel, making it the tallest hybrid timber structure on earth upon completion.
The tower rises on a 3,768-square-metre site at 8–10 Lee Street, Haymarket, directly beside Central Railway Station in Sydney, Australia, anchoring the city’s emerging Tech Central precinct.
The project was conceived to set a new global benchmark in sustainable design, targeting a 50% cut in upfront embodied carbon while running entirely on renewable energy.
Until now, the tallest hybrid timber tower has been Ascent Tower in Milwaukee, which stands at 86.6 meters (284 feet).
Atlassian Central will significantly surpass that record. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the new tower will be the tallest building of its kind currently under construction.
The project is part of a large urban redevelopment initiative near Sydney’s central business district.
Architects SHoP and BVN achieved this by harnessing carbon-sequestering mass timber construction alongside operable façades. It allows large floor areas to function without mechanical cooling, a design made possible by Sydney’s temperate climate.
Architects say the tower uses a hybrid structural system that blends timber, steel and concrete to achieve greater height and stability.
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While traditional timber buildings rely almost entirely on wood, Atlassian Central uses reinforced materials in its structural frame. This approach allows the tower to rise far higher while maintaining safety and durability.
At the same time, large amounts of engineered wood are used throughout the building to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance.
The structure will incorporate around 10,000 cubic meters of engineered timber, including glued-laminated timber columns and cross-laminated timber floor slabs.
These materials are being sourced from Europe and shipped to Australia for installation.
Engineered timber products are stronger and more stable than natural wood. They are made by bonding multiple layers of wood together, creating materials that can support heavy loads in tall buildings.
The hybrid system allows the tower to combine the strength of steel and concrete with the sustainability benefits of timber.
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Inside the building, the office floors are arranged in a unique layout. Architects divided the tower into seven stacked habitat modules, each spanning four floors. These modules include open terraces, greenery and outdoor spaces.
The design aims to create a healthier and more connected working environment.
“The innovative hybrid timber structure shapes both the form and function of the building,” architects at SHoP said.
“Commercial floors are arranged into stacked habitat modules that provide landscaped terraces, maximize natural ventilation, and improve workplace well-being.”
The design attempts to replicate the feel of a natural environment inside a high-rise building. Large windows and open spaces will allow sunlight and fresh air to flow through the tower, improving comfort for people working inside.
The building’s exterior will include solar panels integrated into the facade, helping generate renewable energy. It will also feature an advanced building automation system designed to reduce energy use. The system will help regulate temperature and reduce the need for mechanical cooling.
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By combining these technologies with timber construction, the tower aims to lower its environmental footprint compared with traditional office buildings.
The skyscraper will include 39 floors in total. Most of the upper floors will contain office spaces, while several areas will feature open gardens and communal terraces.
The development will also incorporate an existing heritage building, which is being restored and integrated into the tower’s lobby.
Lower levels of the complex will include a hostel and public spaces, further enhancing the project’s mixed-use nature.
Construction of Atlassian Central is moving toward its final stages, though developers have not announced an exact completion date.
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Construction began in August 2022, and the building is expected to be finished in late 2026 or 2027.
Once completed, the tower will not only become the tallest hybrid timber skyscraper in the world but also a symbol of how modern cities may build sustainable high-rise buildings in the future.
Projects like this demonstrate how engineered wood and hybrid construction could reshape the skyline of major cities in the coming decades.
