Art Gallery’s Sydney Modern expansion wins the Sulman Medal for Public Architecture

June 29, 2023

Congratulations to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, design architect SANAA and executive architect Architectus, for receiving the esteemed Sulman Medal for Public Architecture in the 2023 NSW Architecture Awards. This is the highest accolade in the public architecture category for these awards.

“Rethinking the orthodoxies of the art experience in relation to both enclosure and circulation, Sydney Modern provides a new type of gallery experience that is freer in movement, more connected to the landscape surrounding it, and more diverse in the scale and type of art it can house,” the Awards jury said.

The Sydney Modern Project is one of the most significant buildings delivered by RCC – a complex project with a bespoke design, executed with innovative and industry-leading construction methods. Thank you to our dedicated project team – we are proud to have delivered such an important building, now recognised with a Sulman Medal for Public Architecture.

The Art Gallery’s expansion has a 6-Star Green Star design rating, with over 8,000sqm of green roof and landscaped areas populated with Australian native species, and 735 solar panels covering close to 1,500sqm of rooftop space. Repurposing a former WWII naval oil tank as a spectacular art space was a highlight for all involved.

Suspended over one of Sydney’s busiest freeways, the new exhibition space is an expression of the city’s deep love for the arts – well done to all involved.

NAWIC Archibald Breakfast 2023

June 27, 2023

Showcasing the digital space to inspire the next generation of females to explore careers in construction. 

Last week, a panel of RCC speakers took to the stage at the NAWIC Archibald Breakfast 2023, held at the Art Gallery of NSW.  

Pip Kearney, Client Relationship Manager, was joined by industry leaders involved in the delivery of the landmark Sydney Modern Project, discussing both the influence of digital technology, and collaboration with our partners at Architectus, ARUP, SANAA, the Gallery of NSW and Infrastructure NSW. 

The Sydney Modern Project is the culmination of over a decade of design, vision, planning, fundraising, consultation, determination and hard work. Conceived of – and master planned – in 2011, the design architect SANAA was selected through a competition process in 2015, with the project completed in late 2022. 

Michael Bradburn, Senior Design Manager, was the design lead for Sydney Modern Project. Michael introduced the concept of digital rehearsals to the audience, “…digital design and technology are tools to do a job. Before deciding on which digital tools were needed, we needed to understand the problem we were asked to solve – digital rehearsals help us solve deceptively simple activities.” 

Dean James, Digital Design Manager, showcased the digital tools that were selected for the project, and demonstrated their implementation at Sydney Modern. Passionate about knowledge sharing, Dean expressed the importance of all stakeholders being involved in technology advancements as part of BAU to create a “Next Gen” construction environment.  

Bella Basaglia, Design Coordinator, shared some of the design intricacies of the Sydney Modern project – taking the audience ‘behind the scenes’ to better grasp the magnitude of details required for successful digital rehearsals.  

Jesse Moss, Project Manager, closed the presentation by sharing an array of short, engaging 4D sequences with the crowd. Vital tools used throughout construction, these videos guided subcontractors and construction workers throughout the construction of the Sydney Modern project – planning tools that improved safety, efficiency and overall productivity.  

Since 2018, RCC have supported NAWIC and their ongoing commitment to achieving an equitable construction industry where women fully participate. Given this, we were proud to sponsor this event, and look forward to continuing our support into the future. 

Cranbrook School Hordern Oval Precinct Redevelopment recognised in 2023 NSW Architecture Awards

June 26, 2023

Congratulations to our valued construction partner for being awarded the William E Kemp Award for Educational Architecture.

Congratulations to Cranbrook School, Architectus and RCC’s project team for bringing home the William E Kemp Award for Educational Architecture at the 2023 NSW Architecture Awards.

A combination of enduring architecture and connected spaces, the redevelopment will help Cranbrook School nurture students and foster learning into the next century.

“This redevelopment project incorporates two exceptional new buildings combined with beautiful outdoor settings. The Vicars Centenary Building houses purpose-designed teaching and learning spaces, a drama theatre, a chapel, and an assembly hall,” cited the Awards jury.

Key features of this project included the new Murray Rose Aquatic and Fitness Centre – situated beneath historic Hordern Oval – encompassing:

  • 50m swimming pool with regulated race timing equipment and water polo layouts
  • 20m Learn to Swim pool
  • Grandstand to accommodate 350 spectators
  • Multi-purpose sports hall catering for indoor soccer, basket and netball, cricket practice nets and a spin room
  • Indoor sprint and hurdles training track
  • State-of-the-art Gymnasium
  • Ancillary functions across approximately 6,036sqm of new accommodation.
  • New 124 space carpark

The new Hordern Oval includes:

  • Full size rugby and soccer fields
  • Cricket pitch and nine practice nets
  • Maintenance accommodation for equipment and ground staff

Architectus led the design of the future-focused environment, with the new buildings demonstrating a strong connection to place through physical qualities inspired by “Sydney’s coastal topography of rock platforms, horizontal terraces, cantilevers and headlands.”

RCC is proud to be leading the push to future-proof education facilities across private, public and tertiary education infrastructure. We are focused on delivering outcomes that create sustainable learning outcomes for current and future generations, and are proud to have the Cranbrook School Hordern Oval Precinct redevelopment recognised in this prestigious category.

UTS x RCC Scholarship Alumni ‘Get Together’

June 19, 2023

UTS x RCC Scholarship Alumni ‘Get Together’

We work hard to provide future generations with opportunities for growth and positive change – as such, supporting young women as they enter the construction industry is something we take seriously.

As part of this commitment, RCC have developed a unique program with UTS to recognise and empower high-achieving young females pursuing careers in STEM – the UTS Richard Crookes Constructions Merit Scholarship for Women. Since 2016, 9 students in either the Faculty of Engineering or the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building have received $15,000 towards their degree over a 2-year period, before going on to undertake a cadetship with the RCC team.

UTS Richard Crookes Constructions Merit Scholarship for Women alumni from the past 3 years joined Richard Crookes, Executive Chairman, Samantha Kuiper, General Manager – Design and Innovation, Tony Grippi, General Manager – Operations and Vanessa Riley, Chief People Officer, for a site tour of the iconic Sirius project. This was a wonderful opportunity for our Leadership Team to connect with industry trailblazers – the young females making their mark within the construction and design space.

Due for completion this year, Samantha explained how the project will revitalise the iconic landmark while protecting its rich heritage – offering high-end, luxury living and an unparalleled Sydney lifestyle opportunity.

We strongly believe in the value of camaraderie and creating a workplace that’s both enjoyable and supportive. Given this, maintaining a genuine connection with our scholarship recipients, and in-turn, supporting the next generation of female leaders in the industry, is of the utmost importance.

Thank you to Richard Crookes, Samantha Kuiper, Tony Grippi, Vanessa Riley, UTS and our incredible alumni for joining us at this event. We look forward to enhancing our scholarship programme in the future, and can’t to watch you progress through what will, no doubt, be amazing careers.