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.

$65,800 Raised to Provide Health and Developmental Care for Country Kids

May 11, 2023

RCC cyclists conquered over 400km in support of developmentally vulnerable children living in regional, rural, and remote communities.

A big congratulations to RCC’s incredible cyclists, who took on the Ride for Country Kids earlier this year – raising over $65,800 in support of Royal Far West, Australia’s only national charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of country children. 

Team RCC showed up with passion and perseverance, coming together to tackle the gruelling 400km+ course from Cooma to Lake Hume Village over 3 days. From Mark Bowd’s parents welcoming the team into Tumbarumba, Jonty Young being nicknamed “Quadzilla” and the team jumping into Lake Hume on the final day, it truly was the ride of a lifetime.  

Country communities have had a tough couple of years – the impact of natural disasters coupled with the existing disadvantage of distance and availability of services has seen the number of country kids in need of developmental and mental health services drastically increase. For this reason, fundraising efforts are crucial to connect children in rural and remote communities to the critical assessments, services and support they need to thrive. 

David Sharp, Chief Financial Officer, spoke with the Royal Far West team on the importance of the fundraising initiative:

At RCC, we are committed to giving back to the regional communities in which we work. Our dedicated project teams have recently delivered a number of health precincts in the ACT region, including Cooma Hospital, MPS Braidwood, YASS and Harden, Tumut Hospital and MPS Tumbarumba Hospital. These state-of-the-art facilities ensure regional communities have greater access to essential healthcare services.  

Well done to our riders and event facilitators:  

  • David Sharp, Chief Financial Officer
  • Mark Bowd, Senior Project Manager 
  • Lucas Rielly, Site Manager  
  • Obadiah Williams, Project Engineer
  • Jonty Young, Building Cadet 
  • Kane Towns, Owner of Towns Cranes 
  • Chris Schreurs 
  • Michael Ellis, Design Manager 
  • Jess Dwyer, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications 
  • Megan Jagers, Marketing & Communications Advisor 

 

Cranbrook School Topping Out

December 14, 2021

With the Centenary Building and Chapel structure now complete the Cranbrook School redevelopment team has reached a significant milestone in delivery, having ‘topped out’ the tallest structure. The 2,500m2 rooftop is the foundation of the Centenary Lawn which will be enjoyed by Cranbrook students and staff once complete.

The RCC project team are now focused on fitout works to the Centenary Building, as well as continuing works to the Aquatic & Fitness Centre, learning labs, the Centenary Hall, dining commons, commercial kitchen, theatre, boardroom, and orchestra space.

 

THE AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTRE

Using over 2000 rectangular sandstone tiles weighing 53kg each, the facade of the Aquatic & Fitness Centre was designed to replicate the local coastal cliff face, mimicking a cave entrance into a rock pool. Interestingly the rectangular tiles have been used to create a conical shaped facade which curves in two directions. This design and engineering feat has been delivered with a precise stone cutting to create the effective feature.

The main 50m pool within the Aquatic & Fitness Centre requires 2.5 million litres of water to fill.

Next to the pools is a column free space for the basketball courts. This impressive space has been achieved with the use of 42m trusses which weigh 200 tonne and span throughout levels 3, 4 and 5.

Above the Aquatic & Fitness Centre and carpark is the oval which features 14,000m2 of Agridark Couch grass, the same grass used at ANZ Stadium. The oval will be used for cricket with an additional 10 practice wickets, as well as rugby, soccer and a 400m athletics running track.

 

FUN FACTS

  • Over 450,000 hours worked on site
  • 14,000m3 of concrete poured – equivalent to 5 Olympic Swimming pools
  • 2,000 sandstone tiles installed, weighing 53kg each
  • 37m clear span beams above the pool
  • 90,000m3 material excavated from site
  • 4,200 bolts used in steel truss supporting the structure of the Centenary Building
  • 252 retractable seats in the theatre

 

Quality Residential

July 7, 2021

Over 4 decades of delivery means our experienced teams understand the risks and opportunities associated with residential delivery. We engage our multi-disciplined team early to ensure our design, buildability and material selection knowledge can make an impact. From pre-construction through to post-completion, we maintain consistent high standards, accountability and service, working with project partners who uphold those same high standards.

At RCC, we love what we do and it’s important to us that we continue to deliver buildings that our clients and owners are as proud of as we are. But don’t take it from us, hear from those who know best, our clients.

We recently interviewed Will Peters, a Project Manager from Greenland Australia, about their experience working with RCC to deliver their latest residential development. Park Sydney Stage 1 in Erskineville is Greenland Australia’s third development with RCC. Having demonstrated our proven approach to quality assurance, attention to detail and superior results, RCC was selected to partner with Greenland on this first stage of the City of Sydney’s largest urban renewal project, which involved the delivery of 330 units and a retail precinct.

 

“Greenland has built close to 2000 units in Australia now and hands down Park Sydney is the highest quality we have seen. We think RCC is one of the best residential builders in NSW and they just continue to improve and excel at what they do.”

Will Peters
Project Manager, Greenland Australia

 

 

Our Managing Director, Jamie Crookes, and the founder of our business, Richard Crookes, are Carpenters. We are a business built on the foundations of trade craftsmanship, and this respect for delivering quality drives the way we deliver buildings. Now in our 45th year, RCC has a legacy of quality projects to protect as one of Australia’s most experienced residential builders.

In the last 5 years alone, RCC has completed 41 residential projects, handing over close to 5,500 apartments. Maintaining high standards and a focus on service from design through to post-completion, we value our long term relationships with industry partners who mirror this approach to quality, safety and delivery certainty. We are proud to exceed our clients expectations and to continue working with authorities, our partners and our peers to align the entire industry with best practice standards.

 

MORE ABOUT PARK SYDNEY STAGE 1

Park Sydney Stage 1 is a 16,870m² residential mixed-use development in Erskineville, Sydney. This stage involved the design and construction of eight buildings, which included 330 residential units as well as a retail precinct which houses a Woolworths, plus multiple other minor and mini majors.

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.

RCC to Fitout State-Of-The-Art University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute

August 28, 2020

The Central Coast Research Institute (CCRI) and University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School (UONCCCS) will house state-of-the-art research and learning areas including simulation wards and laboratories.

RCC is honoured to continue our partnership with the University of Newcastle (UoN), on the fitout of Central Coast Clinical School; after working with Health Infrastructure (HI) and the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) to design and construct the six-storey research and education facility base build on site at Gosford Hospital.

Being able to leave a legacy in our local community and deliver a facility which will have an enormous impact on students, staff and the Australian and international research community for generations, makes this project incredibly rewarding.

The Member for Robertson, Mrs Lucy Wicks MP commended RCC’s selection on this next stage of the development;

“As we move from the structural phase of construction to the detailed fit-out of the building, the reality of this world-class facility gets closer and I’m pleased that a regional business is continuing its work on this world-class facility”

Mrs Lucy Wicks MP

RCC has been awarded this third stage of the development, having had the privilege to be on site since 2017 delivering the previous Carpark and Building A Base Build projects. The Building A Base Build took more than 85,000 man-hours and included a curtain wall façade with over 500 individual panels and a stair void which stretches over 4 floors.

 

More about the CCRI and UONCCCS

The CCRI and UONCCCS will operate partnerships between the University of Newcastle and the Central Coast Local Health District, with staff and students expected to move into the new building in 2021.

Fly-through vision released this week by Mrs Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch MP, UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, and CCLHD Chief Executive Dr Andrew Montague.

 

A future world-class research and state-of-the-art learning hub

Researchers will have access to dedicated and collaborative spaces, including specialist anatomy, histology and molecular laboratories and a microbiological physical containment level 2 – or PC2 – lab fit to carry out world-class research.

Lucy Wicks MP highlighted the broader long term impacts of the facility for the community;

“This first for the Central Coast will not only create a centre of excellence in healthcare, research and education right here on the Central Coast, but will also prove to be a huge economic boon for the region. We know that Universities can transform local economies like the Central Coast and help drive future job growth and opportunities.”

Lucy Wicks MP

The UoN’s new clinical school’s features include a 100-seat lecture space, library, simulation labs, and laboratory settings which are designed to provide students with exposure to real-life scenarios they are expected to encounter when they enter the public health workforce.

“The University of Newcastle believes that our new Central Coast Clinical School will strengthen the connection for students between education and healthcare on the Central Coast”.

UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO

Read more about this exciting facility from the University of Newcastle.

 

RCC has engaged with each project partner to ensure this multi-purpose facility meets the needs of each stakeholder and functions as a collaborative space to ultimately enhance user experience as well as education and research outcomes. The opportunity to be involved in delivering a building which will play a role in keeping our community healthy and well is such a rewarding part of what we do.

 

 

 

 

Wyong Hospital Topped Out

August 12, 2020

Topping out marks a major milestone in the delivery of this important health facility for the Central Coast Community.

Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch and Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin joined RCC, Health Infrastructure, the Central Coast Local Health District to site to mark structural completion of the new six-storey building.

Impacts Beyond State-Of-The-Art Health Facilities

At such a key time during delivery, it was also a chance for us to reflect on the positive impact our project is having on the local workforce and economy.

To date, the project has created more than 800 jobs. With local workforce engagement already above 80% and 33 apprentices engaged thus far, the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment delivery is making a significant contribution to the local economy, now and into the future.

Thank you and congratulations to all our project partners; together we share a sense of pride in reaching this milestone on a facility which will service the local community for generations.

 

More About the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment

With the traditional topping out ceremony now complete, our team will now focus on fitting out the interior of the building.

The Wyong Hospital project involves the delivery of a new Clinical Services Building, which 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.

 

Take a virtual tour through the proposed new facilities, with this short Wyong Hospital Redevelopment fly-through:

 

Due for completion in 2022.

 

 

Tamara Jonson

Meet Tamara Jonson

May 26, 2020
RCC’s Group Head of Workplace Health and Safety

Tamara brings 20 + years’ experience working in high risk industries including mining, tunnelling, civil infrastructure, rail and construction to the role. We are proud to welcome Tamara, who shares our belief that positive safety outcomes are as important as productivity and quality in delivering successful projects and advancing our industry.

Educating and empowering every member of our extended team to take care of one another and go home safe to their loved ones each day forms the foundation of our safety culture.

Tamara says she chose a career in safety after seeing, at a young age, the profound and long-term impact workplace accidents can have on people’s lives and the important difference a proactive, accountable and positive safety culture can have;

“As a child I spent my holidays and weekends travelling with my dad to mines and construction sites, where he was running a cultural change program. At the age of about 10, I sat in a session with him one day and saw these miners sitting in a crib shed crying about a workmate and friend they had lost in a workplace fatality. It really impacted me, and I made a commitment to myself that this was something I wanted to work to prevent happening in the future.”

She says that connecting with people at project level, providing coaching and support to improve communication, planning and leadership, while also having an opportunity to serve them by uniting everyone to provide a safe and supportive work environment, is why she loves what she does.

“I have worked for various contractors and always found myself drawn to working for a business whose core values were based on genuine care for people; I have found that at Richard Crookes Constructions. This business allows you to be part of a family business, where you can make genuine change, with the opportunity and diversity that comes from a large contractor. From the minute I met the team I knew they genuinely care about their people as a family.

For me, a positive safety culture exists when we set high standards and expectations, communicate those standards at every level and then hold each other accountable for maintaining them.

Ultimately, it’s about ensuring that every RCC site is a safe, welcoming and productive environment. Maintaining a best-practice safety culture in line with industry advancements in technology, social responsibility, innovation and sustainability is key to achieving best-for-project results for all stakeholders.”

As a family business, our values and RCC’s legacy is important to every member of our team. As a proud Australian business, we also have a sense of responsibility to our staff, clients, project and community partners. The foundations of our business and the passion of our people is centred on delivering projects we are proud of and leaving the next generation of construction professionals with a safer, more inclusive, innovative and sustainable industry.