Japanese general contractor Obayashi has received an order to construct the world's tallest timber building in Australia, a 182-meter sustainable skyscraper combining wood and other materials to house the Sydney headquarters of software company Atlassian.
The 39-story Atlassian Central structure will stand adjacent to the Central rail station in Sydney's Tech Central innovation and technology precinct. The mixed-use tower with a floor space of 75,000 square meters also will be home to a hotel and retail stores. Obayashi's JV with local construction company Built has been commissioned by Australian real estate firm Dexus to build the tower, which is slated for completion in 2026.
Including a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces, the timber design with a glass and steel façade, “will use an energy-efficient approach that features natural ventilation and large planted terraces giving access to nature”.
The project, in line with Atlassian’s values, will operate on 100% renewable energy and reach net-zero emissions. In fact, the headquarters aim for 50% less embodied carbon in construction compared to a conventional building, and 50% less energy consumption compared with a new conventionally operated building. Solar panels in the vertical facades will help generate green power on-site. Eventually, the building will operate on 100% renewable energy with built-in solar panels in the façade.
Realizing Atlassian’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the new hybrid structure “is significantly lower in embodied carbon and offers a substantial reduction in the building’s carbon footprint”.
In addition, the façade incorporates an electricity-generating system with self-shade capabilities to reduce direct heat gain internally. “Combined with the use of mass timber, the innovative facade enables the project to leverage Sydney's temperate climate to help reduce carbon emissions and generate onsite energy”.
