Eckersley O’Callaghan to design the world’s tallest hybrid timber building

24 June 2020

25th June 2020

We are proud to announce that we are to provide the structural and facade design for the world’s tallest hybrid timber building in Sydney, Australia.

The new approximately 40-storey high building is being designed in conjunction with local structural engineering partner TTW in Australia and New York-based architect SHoP, who will work in partnership with Australian firm BVN and provide a new headquarters for technology giant Atlassian.

The new building will be home to thousands of technology workers when complete in 2025.

The groundbreaking design of timber, with a glass and steel facade will include a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces and will use an energy-efficient approach that features natural ventilation and large planted terraces giving access to nature.

In line with Atlassian’s commitment to operate on 100% renewable energy and reach net zero emissions, the project will target:

• 50% less embodied carbon in construction compared to a conventional building
• 50% less energy consumption compared with a new conventionally operated building and solar panels in the vertical facades, to generate green power on-site
• The building will operate on 100% renewable energy from day one and include solar panels built into the facade.

The building is leading edge in its application of Mass Timber Construction (MTC). The novel hybrid timber structure is significantly lower in embodied carbon and offers a substantial reduction in the building’s carbon footprint. This is assisting Atlassian’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In addition, the timber provides a warm and inviting environment for Atlassians and visitors. Measuring at approximately 180 metres / 590 feet high – this will be the tallest commercial hybrid timber building in the world.

As part of the design, SHoP/BVN together with Eckersley O’Callaghan has found an elegant way to tie a structural element of the building to one of the building’s most aesthetic attributes – the facade.

The tower includes a steel exoskeleton that supports the mega floors between neighbourhoods. The current design also incorporates an electricity-generating facade 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 on site energy.

The existing YHA at the site will be revitalised and incorporated into the lower levels of the new building. The existing heritage parcel shed will also be incorporated into the development.

Eckersley O’Callaghan Founding Director James O’Callaghan: “We have developed an innovative new approach to designing tall towers using a hybrid structure where the volumetric mass is timber.

“This approach significantly reduces the embodied carbon of the tower by up to 50% when compared to traditional tall building construction, setting a new sustainability standard for tower construction in the future.”

Atlassian Co-Founder and Co-CEO Scott Farquhar: “Sydney has the potential to be one of the world’s leading technology cities and the creation of a tech precinct sends a loud signal that we’re in the race to take a slice of the world’s most valuable market. That’s an exciting place to be.

“This building will breathe new life into this part of Sydney. It’s an amazing design. We’ve searched the world to find the best architects and engineers to put it together.

“We’re embarking on this project at a critical time. Projects like these will help the state and the nation bounce back from the massive impact of COVID-19.

“The space that we are building will be highly sustainable and highly flexible. it will be purpose-built for the future of work, for tomorrow’s world, not today’s.”

William Sharples, SHoP Founding Principal: “Our collective work around the world focuses on elevating the experience of the public realm in urban environments, so we really welcome this opportunity to work with such wonderful partners to create a high-performance landmark for Sydney’s new tech district, at ground level and in the skyline.”

Ninotschka Titchkosky, BVN co-CEO: “Atlassian has their eyes set firmly on the future, this project will achieve a number of ‘firsts’ globally and in Australia. It will make what was once best practice seem inadequate and hopefully lift the ambition of the built environment across Australia”.