UTS Central Complete – RCC Delivers on Teaching Facilities of the Future

August 29, 2019

This month RCC completed the UTS Central project, marking the end of a three-year partnership with the UTS and FJMT to deliver a 17-storey vertical campus in the heart of the Broadway Campus. RCC was engaged as managing contractor for the UTS Central project in May 2015, which included a 12 month pre-construction phase.

The glass-encased building features state of the art learning commons and collaborative spaces, a new UTS Library, a super lab, UTS reading room, food court and Faculty of Law and Engineering accommodation and learning facilities. The team worked with numerous end users throughout the construction period to deliver unique fit out requirements that meet faculty needs whilst working with the curved façade and building voids.

Our project team has been on site at UTS since 2011, having previously delivered the Health and Science Precinct, and has been focused on building collaborative relationships with the client team and associated stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for the project.

“It has been great working with the RCC team.  It’s been a really good working environment, there is a lot of pride taken in the work which is really reflected in the finished product”

Dane Sinclair, Senior Project Manager, UTS

UTS Central is a stunning dual design including an undulating tower above a 5-storey podium – both encased in a semi-transparent glass façade which RCC developed a specialised craned form-work system to install.

The Central project comprises a number of trademark features including a double helix staircase, geometric solar panels on the northern façade and a water recycling scheme sourced from the neighbouring Central Park. This initiative has been a contributing factor to achieving the building’s 5 Star Green Star Design rating.

Throughout construction, our in-house BIM team was focused on providing clients and user groups with innovative and sophisticated solutions that reduce project risk, time and cost. In addition to upskilling consultants and subcontractors throughout the project, the BIM Engineers were able to advise FM teams on how to integrate the models into their maintenance platforms, ensuring value continued throughout operation.

   

 

Previous experience has proven that involving user groups and stakeholders in the construction process delivers a better construction journey and aids project objective realisation. RCC has delivered 34 University projects across NSW and ACT, and this experience gives us insight into both best practice teaching and student engagement opportunities. Throughout the delivery of this exciting project, RCC actively engaged with the university to contribute to scholarships and curriculum, offering an immersive experience for students.

“Through the establishment of the RCC scholarships and research, RCC is not only changing the lives of talented and hard-working students, but also the landscape for the construction industry innovation, knowledge, development and thought leadership. Scholarships provide the opportunity to spend time within RCC on a paid work placement which will be invaluable when moving into their careers.

UTS is delighted to partner with RCC and to further deepen (OUR) mutual understanding and academic engagement within (our) construction courses. Collaborations that add value to all parties now include a growing series of guest lecturing, information sharing and site visits, all just moments away from the major RCC construction site of the new flagship building: UTS Central.

There is a powerful synergy between how RCC and UTS go about problem solving: using innovative ways of thinking that ensure the focus remains on practical, industry-focussed outcomes.  The vibrant nature of the partnership between RCC and UTS is very much in keeping with this approach and is an inspiration to all involved.”

Liz Hardy – Deputy Director, Faculty Advancement, UTS

The successful completion of the UTS Central project is a testament to RCC’s client-first, collaborative approach to construction. We are proud to produce a building of this calibre in line with budget and program requirements, whilst incorporating additional scope of works throughout the project.

           

 

 

 

RCC’s Second Tower Crane in Circular Quay

July 25, 2019

Opera Residences Project Reaches a Milestone

The Opera Residences team are celebrating a major milestone with the erection of the project’s tower crane.

Following 6 months of bulk and detailed excavation down to 18 metres below sea level and the commencement of sub-structure works, the team erected RCC’s 2nd tower crane in the Circular Quay skyline.

Our name is also up in lights on the nearby Loftus Lane project, part of AMP capital’s exciting Quay Quarter development.

The Opera Residences 400tn mobile crane has been set up no less than 30 metres from the iconic Sydney Harbour, making an exciting sight for Circular Quay onlookers. Its initial free-standing height of 43 metres, making it easily visible from around the quay as well as from the Cahill Expressway.

The crane driver on the Opera Residences project will have the best seat in the house with these views of Sydney Harbour!

 

More on the Opera Residences Project

This exciting residential and mixed-use development for Macrolink and Landream Australia will be a vibrant addition to the popular Bennelong Point precinct in Circular Quay.

The $140m design and construction project involves 104 high end apartments over 19 levels, three levels of retail space which include restaurants, swimming pool and gym and 6 levels of basement car parking. Public domain works include a through-site link (public stairway) from Circular Quay to Macquarie Street and a general upgrade to the Circular Quay Public Domain immediately west of the site incorporating the new Arc Café.

 

 

Working Together For A Shared Future

July 8, 2019

NAIDOC WEEK 2019 – A CHANCE TO REFLECT ON HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR A SHARED FUTURE

NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity each year for all Australians to collectively commemorate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, under the theme of VOICE TREATY TRUTH, Lets work together for a shared future, RCC is reflecting on our contribution to this shared future.

Generating local education and employment opportunities to create long-term industry engagement is part of the legacy we want to create as an Australian owned, family business. We see every one of the thousands of workers on our sites each day as members of our extended family. as such, hearing that working on our UTS Central project has made a difference in the lives of two Indigenous brothers, Andrew and Jason Huckstadt is incredibly rewarding –

Jason Huckstadt said that his time on the project has given him confidence to work in the industry; “the Richard Crookes team have been great with teaching and supporting me with gaining experience in construction. Being here gives you confidence that you can do the work and do it well.”

Jason started on site, after his older brother Andrew had gained valuable experience as part of the team; “Working here with the Richard Crookes fellas on this project, having the structure of coming to work each day, has helped me turn things around… Knowing that other trades coming in are depending on me doing my job right makes me really proud, and it’s good to see the building progress the way it is.” (Andrew Huckstadt)

Andrew also said that the benefits of working on the project extend past his career and his own future, as he sets an example for his three children, “I’m showing my own kids what a working father looks like.”

 

If you want to hear more about the Huckstadt brothers’ experience on the UTS Central project, click the image to check out the full article written by the University of Technology, Sydney.

ARTICLE: Finding a future on the UTS Central work site

 

At RCC, we take great pride in our work; we want our legacy of exciting quality buildings to also drive education and employment opportunities, increase industry engagement and build stronger economies for a brighter future. Hearing the positive long-term impact our delivery of UTS Central has had on members of the team and their family makes the nearing completion of this project even more satisfying. We aim to increase training, employment and supplier opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on every project and to enrich our workforce and industry through inclusion, understanding and appreciation of traditional cultures.

“As a proud family owned and run business, our values are embedded into the RCC culture and we remain committed to making a positive contribution to the communities we live and work in. We appreciate the importance of recognising the traditional custodians of the land on which we deliver each project, including the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, on which the UTS Central development now stands. We also recognise that every project is an opportunity for us to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contribute to education and employment outcomes which extend beyond project delivery to create a long-term sustainable legacy”

Jamie Crookes
Managing Director – Richard Crookes Constructions

 

 

Smart & Sustainable GPT Commercial Tower to Set New Benchmark

January 10, 2019

RCC is excited to be partnering with The GPT Group to deliver 32 Smith Street; an A Grade commercial development in Parramatta.

Set to become a landmark building in the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta, the 28-storey commercial tower will include ground floor café & restaurant, 4 levels of podium car park, public domain improvements and 19 levels of commercial office space.

The development will be a Smart building, offering future tenants including the recently signed QBE, a comfortable and inviting environment. There will be parking for 113 vehicles as well as end of trip facilities for 132 bicycles. It will also integrate Comfy App technology, enabling occupants to take control of their environment via their smartphones. Aligned with Parramatta’s Smart City Vision, 32 Smith Street will be a 6D BIM project which will achieve 5 Star Green Star and Silver Formal WELL rating.

The design, selected as a result of a design excellence competition with the City of Parramatta Council, was produced by Fender Katsalidis Architects and will feature a ground level ‘urban room’ event space, an elevated podium terrace facing the Parramatta River and a tree covered sky deck with panoramic views.

The design will include glass lift shafts and glass facades to improve the visual connection from the building to the river and surrounding streets.

Principal at Fender Katsalidis Mark Curzon said:

“We are incredibly proud to have won this important design competition. This amazing project will redefine office design in Parramatta, setting a new benchmark for workplace design, sustainability and public benefit, in a beautiful way.”

The project team is excited to be on site and settling in as part of the local Parramatta community. Whilst the below image of the site shows we are in the early stages, progress will be quick with completion of this iconic development expected end of 2020.