Built-Obayashi begin construction on landmark Atlassian Central

18 August 2022

Australian construction group Built, in a joint venture with Obayashi Corporation, have been appointed by Dexus to construct the flagship Atlassian Australia headquarters in Sydney.

The appointment follows the formalisation of the Project Development Agreement between NSW Government and Dexus as a critical point to trigger the commencement of construction on the world-leading 39-level office tower.

Built-Obayashi JV (BOJV) were engaged as part of an early contractor involvement agreement in 2020 to work with the Atlassian development team, architects SHoP and BVN, and the consultant team to unlock the design, programme and construction methodology to achieve the aspirations of what will set a new benchmark in sustainability and smart workplaces.

The project at 8-10 Lee Street, Sydney adjacent to Central Station, anchors the NSW Government’s Tech Central precinct that will create a new international innovation and technology community to attract global talent, research, and investment to Sydney.

The new hybrid timber office tower will comprise of 75,000 square metres of GFA with retail amenities and new YHA accommodation space at its base, as well as new public realm around Central Station.

It will incorporate a striking mass timber design with a glass and steel exoskeleton which incorporates an electricity-generating façade system with self-shade capabilities to reducing direct heat gain. The design aims to achieve a 50% reduction in embodied carbon in construction compared to a conventional construction project, 50% less operational energy consumption compared to a conventional building and will be powered by 100% renewable energy from day one of operation. Additionally, it has a 5.5-star NABERS Energy Commitment Agreement and targeting a 6-star Green Star design rating.

Built CEO & Managing Director, Brett Mason, said that the appointment was an endorsement of the Group’s ability to provide the scale and certainty of a tier one construction group with the culture and agility to stay ahead of change.

“Atlassian Central presents both a great challenge and opportunity for us. 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,” he said.

“Built and Obayashi have been key partners in the project to date to unlock the complexity of this build and understand how we can push the boundaries and set new foundations for the future to construct Australia’s most sustainable and innovative office tower and we’re excited to now accept the challenge of making this a reality.”

Built and Obayashi Corporation have been working under a strategic partnership on selective Australian projects since 2016 and have successfully delivered the three centrepiece office towers at Parramatta Square including 6-8 Parramatta Square, Australia’s largest commercial office tower. Obayashi also brings to the partnership extensive international experience in delivering high rise hybrid timber towers.

Construction on Atlassian Central has commenced this month with completion expected in 2026.