SHoP has begun work on the 39-story Australian Atlassian HQ project it says will eventually hold the title of the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower upon its completion in 2026.

The project for local Sydney developers Dexus combines mass timber elements with a diagrid steel tube exoskeleton and staggered glass envelope to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions throughout the total 112,000-square-meter (1.2 million-square-foot) structure. It is envisioned as the anchor of Sydney’s new Tech Central district and will run completely on renewable energy sources according to Built, the Australian company serving as one of two main contractors for the $1.4 billion construction.

SHoP explains: “The tower is organized as six discrete but interconnected ‘habitats.’ Each four-level habitat is a freestanding mass-timber construction supported within the efficient steel exoskeleton. A naturally-ventilated zone, akin to an outdoor garden, is located at each level.” 

“The open garden spaces are key to the tower's exceptional environmental innovation and diminished ecological footprint. Taking advantage of Sydney’s temperate climate, the operable facades allow large areas of each floor to function without mechanical cooling and air handling.”

In addition to serving as the technology giant’s new corporate headquarters, SHoP will set aside five floors for the popular hotel service YHA Australia's operation. The designers say this element, combined with the environmentally-friendly program and connection to Sydney's Central  Station uniquely positions the development as a “new model for other global cities to follow in addressing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and civic cohesion.”

“Atlassian presents both a great challenge and opportunity for us,” Built CEO Brett Mason says. “Nothing about this project is typical. It has been designed and developed to be a proof of concept for what the future of buildings should look like that are low impact on the environment in both construction and operation and create workspaces with a people-first mentality.”