World’s tallest hybrid timber tower tops out in Sydney

The Atlassian Central tower in Sydney, Australia, has topped out, becoming the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower. Designed by SHoP and BVN, and standing at 590 feet tall, the 39-story commercial building surpasses the previous record holder, the 25-story Ascent tower in Milwaukee, by approximately 330 feet.

The scheme uses a hybrid structural system combining mass timber, steel, and concrete. While timber was chosen to reduce overall building weight and embodied carbon, steel and concrete were included to meet the strength and stability required for safety standards.

The design of the tower incorporates a four-story “habitat” concept intended to support collaboration through the use of natural materials, daylight, and enhanced ventilation. The project is targeting a 50 percent reduction in upfront embodied carbon compared to a conventional premium office tower, alongside a 50 percent improv...