Celebrating the people that make us merry and bright  

Building a shared legacy is something to sing about.  

We love what we do, and are proud of the shared legacy we continue to create in both the property and construction sectors, as well as local communities.  

Earlier this month, Team RCC celebrated the end of another memorable year delivering complex and innovative social infrastructure across NSW, QLD and the ACT. We know our people are our greatest asset – this event was a special opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional work of our teams across our regions.  

The culmination of our work creates a better future for generations to come – one where equity, inclusion, sustainability and technological excellence are at the forefront of every decision. We’re proud to work alongside industry partners who enable this vision, by supporting us to create meaningful and memorable opportunities.   

The diversity, passion and dedication of our people creates the fabric of RCC – without you, the projects we’re delivering would not happen. Thank you. 

Light Horse Logistics Hub design sets new benchmark in large scale logistics  

Leading the way through sustainable construction solutions 

The Light Horse Logistics Hub is taking shape, setting the benchmark for sustainable and innovative design solutions.  

Spanning an impressive 170,000sqm, the precinct represents a flagship development in RCC’s Industrial portfolio. In consultation with specialists from Charter Hall, Nettleton Tribe and Northrop, RCC invested in creative construction solutions for the industry-leading logistics precinct.  

Delivering sustainable solutions through sustainable design  

We were tasked with the challenge to create a building that paid homage to the traditional ‘office space’ design while challenging the status quo. 

With forward-thinking design comes new construction considerations. Nettletontribe proposed a pavilion-style structure incorporating timber as the primary material. This approach was a first for all delivery partners, and the Industrial and Logistics property sector nation-wide.  

RCC collaborated closely with timber experts SAVCON to overcome unique challenges, with Claude Concha, General Manager – Industrial at RCC, responsible for the realisation of these sustainable solutions, “We conceived an impressive glass ceiling, helping to meet the project’s durability needs by protecting the timber from water exposure to avoid swelling, while maintaining the architectural intent through its high-end look and feel.”  

Achieving ambitious sustainability targets 

RCC strives to reduce our construction footprint on the environment – this project uses materials which have a reduced carbon footprint, including CLT and glulam. 

By using locally sourced timber (Victorian Ash, radiata pine and Tasmanian Oak), embodied carbon emissions for the building were reduced by 80%. Northrop’s expertise also helped to reduce the operational efficiency of the building by over 60% and potable water consumption by almost 75%.  

Northrop Principal Sustainability Consultant, Ian Van Eerden, said: ”…this contributed to the project increasing its target from a 5-Star to 6-Star Green Star Design & As Built rating.” 

The Light Horse Logistics Hub is a standout example of RCC’s client-first and collaborative approach. We’re proud to see the first office structure taking shape – one that sets some remarkable environmental benchmarks within the Industrial space. 

 

Luxurious Kurraba Residences Unveiled

24 apartments delivered on Sydney’s waterfront.

The luxurious, harbour-side Kurraba Residences is now complete. Designed with a wrap-around curve of glass, residents of the 24 apartments will enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and entire city skyline.

Phillip Mathieson, founder and director of Mathieson Architects, designed the interiors of all 24 apartments. This includes what he terms the ‘super-penthouse,’ since it occupies 430sqm over the two top floors and $1 million worth of furniture. “It’s got this amazing, wrap-around curve of glass which all opens up, so it’s almost like you’re sleeping on the prow of a ship.”

These curved projections not only create a unique aesthetic, but also maximise the view from every room, explained Josh Sanderson, Project Manager at RCC.

“The large curved windows presented a number of challenges as there was no curved sliding door system that met the water penetration requirements for the building, as well as the client’s brief for a slimline design to maximise the apartments views.”

“We partnered early with Meinhardt Group, our façade engineer, and Micos Group, our façade contractor, to develop and test the design. Local fabrication and assembly gave us closer control over the quality. We built full size prototypes offsite to test the design before installation,” said Josh. “This included several curved brick interfaces.”

Penthouse residents will enjoy spectacular views from their ensuite, which features a central bath and a striking, circular marble vanity carved and expertly honed from single blocks of Statuario marble. No detail in either design nor innovation has been spared, with landscaper Dangar Barin Smith installing real grass on the 226sqm terrace to complement the plunge pool and spa. RCC then craned 50 mature exotic plants onto the site as part of the expansive landscaping.”

“The project is a truly beautiful building from any angle inside and out,” said Sanderson. “It was a pleasure dealing with a client and design team that were so passionate about the project.”

 

Ashley Barnes recognised as Regional Woman of the Year

Delivering innovative and complex design solutions in HNE. 

Last week, 40 current and future leaders attended the NAWIC NSW Awards for Excellence to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts of women in property and construction.  

Congratulations to Ashley Barnes, Design Manager at RCC, for being awarded the Regional Woman of the Year accolade. A very deserving winner, Ashley’s reputation as a champion for equity precedes her – as does her technical brilliance. Progression is complex and multi-faceted, but her vision is clear, “I’m responsible for helping ensure the glass ceiling within this space is shattered. If I can do that, my daughters will have the level playing field they – and all women – deserve.” 


Time and time again, RCC’s clients call on Ashley to deliver innovative and complex design solutions in Hunter New England. Paving the way for regional communities, her client-centric ethos has enabled the delivery of cost-efficient, well-considered design solutions that seamlessly integrate with local surroundings.
 

We’re proud sponsors of the Business Woman of the Year award, which acknowledges women in senior positions who positively influence organisational development through exceptional leadership. Congratulations to Cate Cowlishaw, Regional Managing Principal and Vice President at HDR, for her well-deserved win. Cate has a powerful impact on the industry, and her trail-blazing initiatives are creating genuine and meaningful change for women in the building, property and construction sectors. 

 

Well done to all award nominees, and thank you NAWIC NSW for another fantastic industry event. 

 

Northern Beaches Business Park now complete

A $46 million landmark redevelopment project.

The $46 million Northern Beaches Business Park redevelopment is now complete – an iconic site that marks the fourth project delivered in partnership with EG Funds.

This destination experience will house a range of recreational activities, including a dedicated learn-to-swim school Carlile Swimming, Bounce Trampoline Park and Precision Golf – Australia’s largest indoor golfing facility.

The redevelopment project has been one of the largest in the Northern Beaches in recent years, with the important social infrastructure encompassing 11 warehouse units across two buildings. The 37,000sqm site is a key landmark providing space for a diverse range of local businesses to drive employment opportunities for residents and inject into Northern Beaches economy.

Working closely with dedicated consultants, RCC delivered:

  • Building 1: 5,747m2 of high clearance structural steel portal frame warehouse divided into 2 tenancies, including 400m2 of mezzanine offices.
  • Building 2: 11,361 m2 high clearance structural steel portal frame warehouse units divided into 9 tenancies, including 1,350m2 of mezzanine offices.

The revitalisation project was carefully executed to encapsulate important heritage elements, including the preservation of the heritage-listed 44m Roche headquarters. RCC conserved all mature landscaping and native trees, which have been an iconic feature of the precinct since the 1960s. In addition to this, Building 1 and 2’s structural steel was upgraded to cater for state-of-the-art solar panels on the roof.

Roger Parker, Joint Managing Director of EG, said, “Thank you to our delivery partners who remained committed to sustainably delivering one of the largest redevelopment projects within the Northern Beaches.”

RCC Launches 2023 Mentor Program

Part of our award-winning culture.  

RCC is committed to the ongoing development of our people. As testament to this, we recently celebrated the launch of our Mentor Program, which forms part of our Grow Our Own strategy. 

More than 60 mentees and mentors from across the organisation met to mark the beginning of this important workplace initiative. Jimmy McNiven, Employee Experience and Capability Manager, explained the importance of fostering collaboration and enabling growth amongst the RCC team, “Mentoring is a development relationship between two people of differing experience. Growth and development are achieved through the transfer of knowledge, experiences and skills as well as both personal and professional insights. Through mentoring, the aim is to build the potential of our people within RCC.” 

Attendees mingled and connected with their peers, discussing their professional goals and aspirations as well as identifying areas for personal development. Throughout the program, mentees will gain insights from a more senior member on the business in a specific area of interest while expanding their network across the company.  

RCC’s award-winning culture truly sets us apart from the rest – we look forward to watching participants reaching their full potential through curiosity and collaboration.  

 

Team RCC raises $11,300 for youth homelessness

Building on a meaningful partnership with the Property Industry Foundation.  

Wet weather couldn’t dampen Team RCC’s spirits, with 90 participants from the property and construction industry coming together to sleep rough at Centennial Park in support of the Property Industry Foundation (PIF)’s SleepOut.  

In our second consecutive year as Gold Donor, and inaugural year as Primary Sponsor for the event, we are committed to championing this vital initiative – one which directly relates to our vision of building a shared legacy. It’s incredibly important we actively support the Foundation’s endeavours, even more so given Sydney is in the midst of a housing and accommodation crisis which is anticipated to accelerate in 2024. 

We would like to acknowledge the fundraising efforts of Jesse Moss, Project Manager, who was the second highest individual fundraiser with an impressive $5,212 raised! 

We would also like to thank our incredible donors – without their generous support, the success of this fundraising initiative would not be possible.  

This event was a wonderful opportunity for our future leaders to network with their peers, while raising vital funds that go towards PIF refurbishment projects such as the Jannawi Family Centre, Summer Hill, Girls and Boys Brigade Surry Hills and Redfern’s Jarjum College.   

Eight wins for RCC at the MBA NSW Excellence in Construction Awards 2023

Delivering state-of-the-art social infrastructure for clients and local communities.

Richard Crookes Constructions has taken home eight awards at the Master Builders Association NSW Excellence in Construction Awards 2023.

These awards recognise the industry-leading innovation, high-end bespoke designs and complex precincts delivered by both our team and our wider ecosystem of project partners.

By delivering critical social infrastructure, we enable local communities to thrive – now, and for generations to come.

Congratulations to the teams for their collaboration and realisation of excellence:

  • Winner: Public Buildings $200m-$300m – Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Modern Project
  • Winner: Health Buildings Refurbishment $10m-$50m – Tumut Hospital Redevelopment
  • Winner: Public Schools Open Price Category – Alexandria Park Community School
  • Winner: Best Use of Structural Timber – Cranbrook School Stage 2 Redevelopment
  • Winner: Private Schools $50m+ – Cranbrook School Stage 2 Redevelopment
  • Winner: Best Use of Concrete – Cranbrook School Stage 2 Redevelopment
  • Winner: Lifestyle Living Over 55’s $50m-$100m – Kokoda Residences
  • Winner: Industrial Buildings $50m-$100m – Australia Post Oakdale West Industrial Estate

Jamie Crookes, Managing Director at Richard Crookes Constructions, emphasised the significance of industry recognition across our operational areas. He commented, “These prestigious accolades reflect our dedication to building a shared legacy with clients, consultants and subcontractors – they are testament to our long-term relationships with world-class delivery partners across Australia.”

Delivered by Richard Crookes Constructions, Sydney Modern wins 2023 National Public Architecture Award

Innovation and sustainability reach new heights at this new art museum experience.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new Sydney Modern building has won a 2023 National Award for Public Architecture presented by the Australian Institute of Architects.

RCC worked with the design architects SANAA, executive architects Architectus, the Art Gallery and Infrastructure NSW to deliver this exceptional project in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts. Inside the building – a series of art pavilions that cascade down the challenging site – the spatial complexity of SANAA’s design is evident. ‘Floors and ceilings swoop and fall, revealing views to the park and the harbour as well as other parts of the building,’ the award citation noted.

A key element of the design was the industry-leading sustainable features that achieved a 6-star Green Star design rating, the first for an Australian art museum. Among the highlights the RCC team delivered was more than 8,000sqm of green roof and landscaped areas and the installation of 735 solar panels covering close to 1,500sqm of roof space.

The adaptive re-use of two World War II naval oil tanks was an intricate and unique component of the development, with one of the decommissioned tanks being transformed into a spectacular art space. The scale, structure and acoustics of the 2,200sqm Tank gallery are remarkable.

RCC’s project team delivered innovative solutions to realise this significant piece of public infrastructure – one which will contribute to Sydney’s arts and cultural life for generations to come. Congratulations to the global team of collaborators who helped bring this new art museum experience to life.

The building was awarded the prestigious Sulman Medal for Public Architecture by the AIA (NSW) earlier this year.

 

Delivered by Richard Crookes Constructions, Cranbrook School wins 2023 National Award Educational Architecture

State-of-the-art facilities supporting the health and wellbeing of students.

Cranbrook School’s Bellevue Hill campus redevelopment has been recognised as one of Australia’s most prestigious projects of the year – taking home the 2023 National Award for Educational Architecture.

RCC in partnership with Architectus delivered state-of-the-art facilities safely in a   live operational environment – ensuring the continuity of school life with minimal disruption. Skilful stakeholder management in conjunction with rigorous safety standards ensured the project’s success.

The new building is tucked into the hillside and integrates the site across several levels from the oval to the beautifully detailed chapel at the uppermost level.

One of the key design elements that stood out was the substantial incorporation of sustainable materials. The RCC team worked in close collaboration to bring the glulam and CLT to life – a major highlight was their use in the chapel roof structure. This marked a significant milestone for our project. You can learn more about the glulam installation here.

Improving connectivity and supporting the school community through exposure to new pedagogy models in the modern learning spaces.

Jury chair and former Australian Institute of Architects president, Shannon Battisson said, “… the jury were united in our desire to seek out and draw attention to the best examples of design innovation in the country….broader climate, sustainability and culture situation…To send a message to all Australians about where our industry should be going in terms of sustainability, learning and listening to Country.”

Congratulations to our project team, partners and subcontractors for being recognised in their delivery of this critical social infrastructure.