UTS Central

RCC partnered with the University and FJMT under a Managing Contractor agreement we could progress the concept design without delaying the construction of the project. This process allowed RCC to actively contribute to the design and value management in real time.

The works involved the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new teaching building, including a new UTS Library, Faculty of Engineering, learning commons and research labs. The building presents as an undulating semitransparent building wrapping the base of the tower, this is achieved with curved glass façade.

Since starting on site, $63m (25%) additional scope has been added to the scope of works, including super lab fitout, feature stairs and fitout of the tower.

Client: University of Technology Sydney
Architect: FJMT
Delivery Form: Managing Contractor
Location: Ultimo, NSW
Value: $307m
Completion date: August 2019

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.

Topping Out at UTS

November 20, 2018

As the ceremonial tree was craned onto the roof of the UTS Central project, RCC, UTS and our consultant team acknowledged the collaborative approach responsible for reaching this milestone.

Joined by FJMT and Lacoste & Stevenson, we took the opportunity to soak up the sunshine and appreciate the contribution this landmark development will make to UTS staff and students and the broader Sydney community.

What better way to celebrate this landmark education project than to talk statistics…

UTS Central Project Fun Facts

19 Staircases (1,648 steps)
1,100 glass windows
20,000m3 of concrete
861m of steel beams

With an average of 380 workers on site each day for the last 159 weeks, the current progress represents the hard work of many individuals, operating as a team to deliver this impressive new home for UTS staff and students.

Well done to the entire RCC, subcontractor and consultant team who have worked incredibly hard to complete the structure on this complex development.

Want to know more about the UTS Central project?

The UTS Central Project includes the redevelopment of Building 2 and the extension of Building 1 (UTS Tower) to redefine the main campus entrance. The development represents a significant component of the broader UTS Master Plan and will create additional connections within the campus and further enhance the student experience, supporting UTS’s long-term strategic plan of growth in research and positively contributing to the urban quality of the precinct.

Virtual design and construction on UTS Central

September 18, 2017

RCC is embracing the use of Virtual Reality (VR) on the UTS Central project by integrating traditional design methodology with ‘new-age’ digital design process. With global markets recognising the need for BIM implementation, this approach is changing the way RCC manage stakeholder engagement on our projects. The UTS Central project has given our team the opportunity to utilise virtual models in a VR space (UTS Data Arena) to display enhanced virtualisation of the design. This has improved the stakeholder’s knowledge of what the finished, fitted-out space will look like once completed.

Continue reading “Virtual design and construction on UTS Central” →

NAWIC Site Tour of UTS

September 12, 2017

Last week we welcomed NAWIC members and guests to the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) for a site tour of the UTS Central project. RCC staff delivered a presentation on the unique challenges of the project and the intelligent solutions which have and will be implemented to deliver this landmark development.

Continue reading “NAWIC Site Tour of UTS” →

UTS Thomas Street

The new building will be the Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health. It features five above ground and three below ground levels. The project includes a variety of wet, semi-wet and dry laboratories with specialist research support areas.

The project includes a Library Retrieval System (LRS) that will accommodate 900,000 books.

The Alumni Green will be a landscaped area and will revitalise this important green space located in the heart of the campus.

Client: University of Technology Sydney
Architect: BVN
Delivery Form: Managing Contractor
Location: Ultimo, NSW
Value: $114.6 m
Completion date: August 2014

7 Excellence in Construction MBA Awards

November 23, 2020

RCC is honoured to have received 7 awards, including the overall ‘Outstanding Construction Award’ at the 2020 NSW Master Builders Association ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards.

Being recognised for excellence in construction across multiple sectors and project value categories is incredibly rewarding for RCC. Delivering quality outcomes for our clients, end users and our community is just what we do, so this industry acknowledgment of innovation and quality is a bonus.

Congratulations to the RCC project teams and all our subcontractor, consultant and supply partners involved in delivering these incredible projects.

For us, success is about delivering important developments for our local community, working together with our clients and project partners to leave a legacy that we can all be proud of. Congratulations to everyone who played a part in the design and delivery of these award-winning projects.

Interested in these incredible award-winning projects? Keep an eye out on RCC’s social media accounts over the coming weeks for feature stories on each project, showcasing the the innovation and excellence behind their recognition in the 2020 NSW MBA ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards.

‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards Event

Watch the full 2020 ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards event here:

Common Ground Dickson

After successfully delivering the first Common Ground in Gungahlin in 2015, RCC have begun construction on the second Common Ground development that will provide an opportunity to increase the supply of affordable housing and free up crisis accommodation, leading to long term sustainable housing, particularly for older women in financial crisis and those experiencing family / domestic violence.

The 6 storey building will consist of 40 affordable and social housing units with a mix of one, two and three bedroom layouts, as well as a cafe, communal green space and social services. The project is designed to provide long-term, high-quality housing options for people on low incomes and those facing chronic homelessness, particularly women, families and children.

Client: Housing & Community Services ACT
Architect: Collins Caddaye Architects
Delivery Form: DD&C
Location: Dickson, ACT
Value: $23m
Completion date: October 2021

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.

Delivering TRN House

June 26, 2020

Oran Park Towns’ First Standalone Commercial Building Was Built on Collaboration

The first step in successfully delivering commercial developments is listening. In our experience, understanding the needs, wants and concerns of our clients and the end user early allows us to establish a collaborative partnership with the wider project team, and leverage the diverse stakeholder input to realise an informed, functional design and high performing asset.

Hearing from our project partners that this approach makes a difference to them, makes our commitment all the more rewarding. Glenn Fordham at TRN Group and Wayne Perich at Greenfields Development Company wrote to us acknowledging the impact that this collaboration had on the team and the completed TRN House building;

“We proudly now have an outstanding building incorporating a new bespoke head office to call our home for many years (and hopefully generations) to come…
We will be forever grateful for the RCC team’s assistance throughout the build and in particular, our office fit-out”

(Full testimonial later in article)

Glenn Fordham
Director, General Manager – Projects
TRN Group

“Greenfields Development Company joint ventured with TRN Group to construct the first standalone commercial building at Oran Park. RCC was selected as the builder and delivered an A Class quality building. The synergy between Greenfields, TRN, and RCC could not have been better. The RCC team were easy to work with and had the clients’ interests at heart.
Honesty in the building game is hard to find and it was evident throughout our experience with RCC. Thank you.”

Wayne Perich
Director
Greenfields Development Company

Priding ourselves on maintaining long term relationships with our clients and project partners, RCC is invested in the long-term performance of their commercial assets, beyond project completion. A ‘one team’ approach with our clients, tenants, consultants and subcontractors, where we are all working towards a shared goal, encourages innovative, solution focused delivery, driving value, efficiency and an enjoyable journey for all stakeholders.

THE TRN HOUSE STAKEHOLDER EXPERIENCE

The collective GDC, TRN and RCC team worked collaboratively with the wider consultant and subcontractor team throughout delivery, which included celebrating project milestones together. The Topping Out Ceremony in late 2019 was a significant event, marking completion of the structure on Oran Park Towns first standalone commercial building, as well as an opportunity to raise funds for a worthy cause.

The entire project team joined RCC to see the ceremonial tree craned onto the roof slab, with most guests wearing pink to promote Pink Up Oran Park; a breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign supporting the McGrath Foundation, which involved several sites across Oran Park Town turning a shade of pink during the month of October.

Pictured (left to right): Terry Fordham (TRN), Ron Perich (GDC), Glenn Fordham (TRN), Mark Perich (GDC), Tony Perich (GDC), Wayne Perich (GDC)

“We worked with RCC on the Oran Park Commercial 1 development (now known as TRN House) under unique circumstances as both a subcontractor and client. In addition to this, we are an end user in the development. This was our first experience with a commercial build, let alone one of this scale.
From the outset during tender stage, the consistent team gave us confidence in their understanding of the proposed build within the project’s constraints and specifications. A great rapport developed with the team throughout the build and any unexpected issues were dealt with honestly in an ‘open book’ fashion and resolved quickly through to final completion. We proudly now have an outstanding building incorporating a new bespoke head office to call our home for many years (and hopefully generations) to come.
Working with this team has restored my faith in Building Contractors and I look forward to the opportunity of working with them again one day soon to deliver another significant building in the Macarthur area in which we are based. We will be forever grateful for the RCC team’s assistance throughout the build and in particular, our office fit-out. This has been a positive experience we will fondly remember and are truly grateful for.”

Glenn Fordham
Director, General Manager – Projects
TRN Group

Some of the RCC delivery team, including (Pictured front row, three on right): Michael Ryan (Project Manager), Richard Crookes (Executive Chairman) and Cameron Waller (Construction Manager).

MORE ABOUT TRN HOUSE

(Formerly Oran Park Commercial)

Completed in April 2020, the project involved the design and construction of a new 6 storey A Grade equivalent commercial centre with a GFA of 10,307sqm featuring:

3 storey basement carpark with 320 vehicle spaces and 20 motorcycle spaces
3 glass passenger lifts (including glass lift shafts) servicing 9 levels and 1 car lift servicing the roof
Landscaped roof-top terrace and ground floor central atrium space
Associated street level landscaping and public domain works; and
Dedicated loading / delivery dock areas
The team also completed the Integrated fitout of Level 5 – TRN Group’s head office which included:
- Collaborative, open plan work spaces,
- Various offices and meeting rooms,
- Kitchenettes and an outdoor terrace entertaining area &
- Custom signage throughout