A collaborative masterwork designed by the New York-based SHoP Architects and the Australian firm BVN Architecture is rising 39 stories to a height of 183 meters in Sydney’s Haymarket district. The Atlassian Central project is set to become the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower upon its anticipated completion in late 2026.
Timber Tower Concept
The mixed-use development represents a fundamental shift in high-rise typology, embracing a hybrid logic that integrates mass timber within a high-density urban skyscraper framework. The project forms part of Australia’s largest urban renewal program, focused on creating a six-square-kilometer innovation district that bridges the gap between major educational institutions, such as the University of Sydney and the University of Technology (UTS), and the burgeoning global technology sector.
Strategically positioned adjacent to Sydney’s Central Railway Station, the building sits at the intersection of the Devonshire Street Tunnel, new metro linkages, and existing rail, bus, and light rail networks. Conceptualized around the Habitat organization, the design of the 39-story tower breaks down into smaller, human-centric neighborhoods. The tower is divided into seven distinct habitats, each spanning four stories. Each habitat contains three mass-timber-framed office floors and one mega floor.
The Timber Building inside a Skyscraper
This vertical strategy allows for flexible interiors and interconnected zones, fostering collaborative workspaces. The hybrid timber tower incorporates the heritage-listed Inwards Parcels Shed, constructed in the early 1900s, as part of the redevelopment. The structure is carefully dismantled, refurbished, and reinstated in its original position, serving as the building’s lobby and a vibrant public space.
The structure utilizes glued laminated timber (GLT) beams and columns, combined with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor slabs, to create a warm, biophilic environment. Park spaces are integrated within each habitat system, allowing employees direct access to fresh air and planted gardens at every level. This layout utilizes an innovative operable facade, enabling large areas of each floor to function without mechanical cooling during suitable weather conditions.
The Hybrid Megaframe
The engineering team, led by TTW and Eckersley O’Callaghan, developed the megaframe strategy, as timber cannot reach the required 183-meter height while meeting the lateral stiffness demands of a high-rise. Lateral stability is provided by a central reinforced concrete core and a load-bearing perimeter steel exoskeleton.
The structural hierarchy allows for expansive, column-free interior spaces within the office zones. The timber habitats are freestanding mass-timber structures nested between steel and concrete megafloors. The use of mass timber reduces the building’s carbon footprint, targeting net-zero performance.
The glass and steel exoskeleton supports a high-performance facade system that incorporates built-in solar panels. These vertical photovoltaic arrays are integrated into the louvers, allowing the building to generate its own green power on-site while providing self-shading to reduce internal heat gain. This strategy is essential for meeting the building’s 100% renewable energy target and achieving its 5.5-star NABERS Energy and 6-star Green Star ratings.
Atlassian Central also addresses urban social needs by integrating a 500-bed YHA Australia hostel within the lower floors. This integration ensures the precinct remains lively and accessible beyond office hours, fostering a 24-hour economy that supports both residents and international travelers.
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