Abstract:
In March 2026, construction of Atlassian Central, currently the world’s largest hybrid timber high-rise under development, reached a major milestone in Sydney. This 39-storey skyscraper, with a total investment of USD 1.45 billion, adopts an innovative hybrid structural system combining a concrete podium, mega-floor plates, and mass timber modules. The project will consume more than 30,000 cubic meters of high-grade timber and incorporates a 247kWp building-integrated photovoltaic system. Completion and opening are scheduled for 2026.

Major Progress Achieved on Sydney’s Atlassian Central

In March 2026, significant progress was reported on Atlassian Central, the world’s largest hybrid timber building currently under construction, located above Sydney Central Station. This 39-storey “mass timber skyscraper” is redefining conventional supertall construction through its highly unconventional structural strategy.

The project carries a total investment of USD 1.45 billion and is jointly owned by Dexus and technology company Atlassian. Construction is being delivered by Japanese construction giant Obayashi Corporation in partnership with Australian builder Built.

Innovative Hybrid Structural System

From a structural engineering perspective, the building adopts a pioneering combination of “podium + mega-floor plates + timber modules.”

The lower section consists of a seven-storey reinforced concrete podium, which provides foundational stability and supports transit-related infrastructure above the railway station. Above this base, large steel-and-concrete mega-floor plates create the primary structural framework.

Inserted within this framework are seven four-storey timber habitat modules, strategically embedded between structural slabs. These timber zones create highly flexible, low-carbon workspace environments while integrating seamlessly with the surrounding steel-concrete skeleton.

According to project plans, the building will use more than 30,000 cubic meters of premium engineered timber, supplied by European industry leaders Stora Enso and Wiehag. The timber components span 21 core levels throughout the tower.

Advanced Construction Methodology Improves Efficiency

The project is also notable for its innovative construction methodology, described as a “layered leapfrog plus synchronized infill” approach.

Rather than constructing the full concrete-and-steel frame first and installing timber afterward, the construction team advances upward in five-floor increments. While the structural frame is erected, timber installation is completed simultaneously within each section.

This parallel construction logic significantly shortens project timelines by reducing downtime between major structural phases and enabling more efficient trade coordination.

The use of engineered timber—including cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glulam beams—further accelerates assembly compared with traditional methods, while maintaining structural performance and sustainability advantages.

Building-Integrated Solar Façade Creates Vertical Energy System

On the sustainability side, Atlassian Central incorporates advanced building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) technology developed in Spain.

The tower façade will feature 1,794 crystalline silicon solar louvres, transforming the exterior skin into a vertical energy-generation system. Together, these elements form a customized photovoltaic installation with a total capacity of 247kWp.

This approach allows the façade to serve dual functions: solar shading and renewable power generation, improving building energy efficiency while reducing operational carbon emissions.

A Landmark for Sustainable High-Rise Development

The project is expected to be completed in 2026. Following full operational readiness, planned for late 2028, Atlassian intends to occupy five of the seven timber office habitats within the tower.

Beyond its scale, Atlassian Central represents a major technological milestone for the global construction sector. The project demonstrates how mass timber can be integrated into large-scale urban high-rise developments while balancing structural safety, construction speed, and carbon reduction goals.

As cities worldwide seek lower-carbon construction pathways, this project offers a compelling real-world model for the future of sustainable supertall architecture.

Conclusion

The rapid advancement of Atlassian Central highlights the growing maturity of hybrid timber high-rise technology. No longer limited to mid-rise residential or boutique commercial projects, engineered timber is now entering the supertall segment with unprecedented ambition.

For stakeholders across engineered wood, façade systems, modular construction, and green building technologies, this project signals a new era in which timber is evolving from an alternative material into a strategic component of next-generation urban infrastructure.

Source: Wood Data / Wood & Panel Europe
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