UOW’s Social Sciences & Creative Arts Building

September 28, 2020

The University of Wollongong’s (UoW) new state-of-the-art creative arts and social sciences building has been officially opened by New South Wales Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC.

The four storey, multi-purpose building features a visual arts gallery, two theatre spaces, music performance, rehearsal, recording and production facilities, a fully equipped newsroom, digital design studio, maker space, simulation labs and indoor and outdoor teaching facilities.

RCC is incredibly proud to have played a role in the delivery of this landmark building on the Wollongong campus.

Her Excellency the Governor had high praise for the quality facility;

“I congratulate UOW for delivering on its vision to support communities by engaging them through creativity

The University is headed in the right direction by being an institution providing world-class facilities in which students, staff and local communities can upskill themselves, explore creativity and be equipped to compete on a global stage.

I am confident this new building will live up to its vision and play an important role in Australia’s economic and social recovery post-COVID-19, by equipping the workforce of the future.”

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC

The building was named the Jillian Broadbent Building, in recognition of retiring UOW Chancellor, Ms Jillian Broadbent AC and her outstanding contribution to the University during her 11-year term.

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor, Paul Wellings CBE said the University hopes to engage the best creative minds in the country to ultimately drive innovation and growth in the Illawarra region;

“This new facility is built to attract and develop the best social sciences and creative arts minds and to provide a forum for new thinking, innovation, learning and creative expression that will help drive growth within our communities”

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor, Paul Wellings CBE

To read more from the University about the Jillian Broadbent Building, find the full article covering the opening here.

 

RCC’s Partnership with UoW

The Jillian Broadbent Building is the second facility RCC has delivered on the Wollongong campus this year, with the team handing over the well-publicised Molecular Horizons facility earlier in 2020. The high-quality delivery of this state-of-the-art social sciences and creative arts building, and world-leading Molecular Horizons research facility highlights the strength of the collaborative relationship between RCC and the University.

More about Molecular Horizons

Design, construction and integrated fit out of the five-storey facility within the operational University of Wollongong campus. The building includes office and administration areas with meeting and conference rooms; research and chemistry laboratories (including PC2 and BC2 certified); animal housing; and an astronomy and chemistry roof platform with rooftop mechanical plant.
These state-of-the-art facilities house some of the world’s most revolutionary technology, including Australia’s most powerful biological electron microscope, the Titan Krios cryo-EM microscope.

For more about the Molecular Horizons delivery journey click here or watch the below video to hear from University stakeholders and the researchers who now call the building home.

 

 

Grant D’Arcy to be appointed as General Manager of Sydney and Major Projects

September 24, 2020

In addition to the leadership change communicated yesterday, we would like to communicate the plans for the Sydney division going forward.

We are excited to announce that Grant D’Arcy who is the current General Manager of Major Projects will be appointed as the General Manager of Sydney and Major Projects; leading both divisions.

We believe an efficient business structure with visible leadership will ensure our projects remain agile and decisions are made quickly, allowing the focus to be on reaching project milestones and objectives. This single line of leadership strengthens RCC’s ability to partner with clients to deliver their full portfolio of work, realising efficiencies in contract and construction management.

“RCC has a unique proposition; in addition to being family owned, with an agile management structure and true client first approach; we are able to partner with our clients on their wider portfolio. The Major Projects and Sydney division will continue to deliver those projects we are known for and proud of, while providing our clients with the unique collaborative construction journey that has become our hallmark delivery style.”
Grant D’Arcy, General Manager Sydney and Major Projects.

As mentioned yesterday, RCC is using this unprecedented period to innovate, adapt and prepare for the next phase of growth, and this is the first step in that shift.

The operational separation of the two divisions will remain, with each business unit focusing on their area of expertise whilst creating a single line of leadership for our clients.

The People Behind The WHR Project

Our Wyong Hospital Redevelopment Team Is Targeting More Than Built Outcomes.

Successful projects are as much about the positive community impacts of delivery, as they are about the completion of fit for purpose facilities. Partnering with the Central Coast community and industry organisations allows us to create local supplier, training and employment opportunities, and ultimately generate social and economic outcomes which extend far beyond building completion.

With the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment building structure now complete, we are looking forward to being able to handover this important facility for the community, and reflecting on the contribution of the hundreds of people behind the project.

 

MORE ABOUT THE WYONG HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

When it reaches completion, the new Clinical Services Building will provide the local Central Coast community with a new Emergency Department, additional operating theatres, and ICU/HDU capacity, mental health expansion, additional inpatient beds for medical and acute services, clinical and non-clinical support services and parking.

For more information about the Wyong & Gosford Hospitals Redevelopment visit the NSW Governments Project Website.

The project is due for completion in 2021.

 

 

Announcement from the Managing Director and CEO

September 23, 2020

Richard Crookes Constructions is putting in place a leadership change in order to respond to the projected downturn of the economy in the coming years. George Bardas will be stepping down from the role of CEO in December and Jamie Crookes will take on the dual roles of Managing Director and CEO.

George’s four-year tenure has been extremely successful – increasing revenue and improving the safety culture across the business. He has played a key role in pivoting the company from its former residential base to a much more diversified portfolio of high value projects including Social Infrastructure, Government and Institutional clients. New clients include Infrastructure NSW, AMP, GPT and the University of Wollongong.

As we have done in previous downturns, RCC will use this period to consolidate, adapt and prepare for the next phase of its growth when the market returns post Covid. As a result, this is the right time for George to provide his expertise to a new leadership opportunity in the construction industry.

The RCC Board wish to thank George for his significant contribution and for helping place the business in such a strong position; we are well positioned to adapt to the expected downturn in the construction industry pipeline, through the achievement of our strategic intentions over the past four and a half years.

Structure Complete at 32 Smith

September 17, 2020

Topping out the 28-storey structure marks a major milestone in the delivery of this A-Grade 26,500sqm commercial building in Parramatta’s CBD.

RCC and GPT Group welcomed Parramatta’s Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer and representatives from the Western Sydney Business Chamber and future anchor tenant, QBE to join our collective team on site and celebrate project progress, with the ceremonial magnolia tree craned on to the roof slab.

GPT’s Head of Office & Logistics Matthew Faddy, spoke to the contribution the completed development will make to the City of Parramatta’s vision of a world-class commercial and cultural centre in Western Sydney and to the effort of our collaborative team thus far;

“This project is being delivered in exceptionally unusual circumstances.  The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a curve ball at all of us this year. I would like to thank the Richard Crookes Constructions team, the Parramatta City Council, our consultants and the GPT development team for working together to ensure that the 1,500 people who have worked on the 32 Smith project remained safe and this vital project could be delivered on time.”

Matthew Faddy – GPT

 

Similarly, on behalf of RCC, George Bardas noted the collective effort responsible for progress on the landmark project;

“Success on projects which create a lasting legacy in our community, goes beyond the completion of a quality building. We are honoured to partner with GPT, Icon, our talented consultant and subcontractor team, project stakeholders and the local community to deliver one of Parramatta’s smartest buildings”.

George Bardas – RCC

 

 

MORE ABOUT 32 Smith Street Parramatta

The building will include a ground level ‘urban room’ event space, an elevated podium terrace facing the Parramatta River, a tree covered sky deck with panoramic views, as well as state-of-the-art End-of-Trip facilities with bike storage and lockers for future tenants.

“This A-Grade office building will be one of Parramatta’s standout landmarks and will only bolster the City of Parramatta’s vision to transform the CBD into a world-class commercial and cultural centre…
We are delighted QBE and Coleman Greig are committed to occupying this iconic building. 32 Smith Street will deliver state-of-the-art premises which promote cutting-edge technology and a workspace design set to accommodate modern working practices.”

Matthew Faddy – GPT

 

Consistent with GPT’s recently announced 2024 target of net zero carbon across their portfolio, the environmentally sustainable 32 Smith Street design was awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating and is targeting a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating.

More about 32 Smith

 

RCC delivers luxury seniors living in Randwick

September 11, 2020

RCC has recently completed the M by Montefiore Project, creating a luxury residents for future tenants.

M by Montefiore a retirement living benchmark project with high-end design and quality finishes across 79 new luxury Independent Living Units in the South West area of the existing Montefiore Randwick aged care facility.

The one, two and three bedroom apartments offer stunning architectural interiors and abundant space for private entertaining, designed by leading architecture firm Jackson Teece. The secure, private complex combines 5-star inclusions such as a pool, fitness centre, private cinema, function space, concierge and club lounge, with the peace of mind for senior citizens that comes from having Montefiore’s leading health support available at all times.