World's new tallest timber tower reaches incredible maximum height

The world's new tallest hybrid timber skyscraper has officially topped out. Named Atlassian Central, the "plyscraper" soars to an incredible height of 180 m (591 ft), not just surpassing but smashing all previous records.

Designed by SHoP Architects and BVN Architecture, Atlassian Central is part of a burgeoning new district in Sydney, Australia. It more than doubles the height of the previous timber tower record holder, Milwaukee's Ascent, which rises to 86.6 m (284 ft).

The building combines a concrete core with a steel exoskeleton and roughly 10,000 cubic m (353,000 cubic ft) of engineered timber, most of it in the form of glued-laminated timber columns and cross-laminated timber.

This hybrid approach has become the preferred method for tall timber construction, used in both the Ascent and the seemingly cancelled Neutral 1005 N Edison St, as well as practically every other tall timber skyscraper – excepting Mjøstårnet. This is because it provides the structural strength required, while still speeding up build time and reducing the overall carbon footprint. Indeed, according to BVN, the project is targeting a 50% reduction in upfront embodied carbon across its structure compared to a conventional commercial office tower, as well as a 50% improvement in operational energy efficiency.

"With its structure now standing at full height above Sydney's skyline, Atlassian Central is the world's tallest hybrid timber tower; an innovative workplace that halves embodied carbon and embeds renewables in a way once considered impossible," says Peter Titmus, BVN Principal. "Achieving this milestone has been both demanding and rewarding, only made possible through constant design innovation and collaboration across the whole project team. Hybrid mass timber has done more than reduce embodied carbon, it has fundamentally shaped how tower buildings can be delivered, enabling prefabrication, dry construction and a faster, lighter vertical build. As a prototype for mass-timber towers of the future, this is a moment of global significance."

The interior of the building contains 39 floors, most of which are taken up by office space, including a four-story collaboration area that maximises natural light and ventilation. There will also be a hostel and multiple garden terraces, including a rooftop garden. Additionally, it will incorporate an existing building on the site, which is being restored and integrated into the lobby.

With the structural frame now complete, work is continuing on the remainder of the skyscraper, including finishing its high-tech facade, which incorporates solar panels and an automated cooling system. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

Sources: BVN, Dexus