Having delivered over 400 education buildings across the public, private and tertiary sectors, we thrive on seeing the impact educational infrastructure has on students and communities. What drives us is the ability to deliver something new on every job and witness how it enhances the learning environment. Our partnerships with architects, designers and engineers are fundamental, as we work together to make our clients’ vision a reality.
Understanding for the future
As new technologies and pedagogies emerge, the physical form of schools support this evolution. We approach each unique building with the mindset to ‘create a better environment for teachers and students’, as well as increase the efficiency of investments in educational infrastructure. To do this, we look at education precincts through a lens that extends beyond the realms of brick and mortar.
Collaborating with teachers and students allows us to understand them and take this awareness into our planning. We can engage school-aged children to the process of construction, which will have a real impact on the diversity in our industry in 10 years’ time.
Our Senior Project Engineer, Isabella Spinolo, has been delivering the Student Engagement Program during the Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Scientia project. This involves developing learning modules and taking students on site walks to show the inner workings of a construction project, as well as highlighting the myriad of career opportunities women can pursue in the industry.
A shared vision with our partners
Innovative construction only becomes a reality when a collaborative team comes together and works hard to do something new. This is often fostered in the tertiary space, where universities invest heavily in planning and design to deliver student-centric, blended learning environments that attract the best professors and students from across the world.
The development of 6 Hassall Street (6HSL) is a prime example of these components in action. Coupled with dynamic university showcase spaces, user experience labs and technology-rich installations, the aim of 6HSL was to stimulate the best ideas in the brightest minds.
One aspect we love, is the building’s engineering being on display, providing an inspirational teaching tool to enhance student experiences. As a result, students can have an immersive, hands-on experience with real-life engineering that helped create the building they are learning in.
Space is the greatest asset
With the changing population densities and land values increasing across the state, now more than ever, we are focused on leveraging spatial elements to create the best possible learning experience. Accommodating students within a small CBD precinct whilst retaining access to outdoor play spaces is key.
Due to the heavy residential concentration surrounding Alexandria Park Community School, leveraging the spatial elements was critical when delivering the school. We developed multiple school buildings and a sports hall with rooftop COLAs. We identified additional places for break out teaching spaces, storage and increased play space. Our team also understood the requisite compliance and consultation processes that facilitated a smooth transition from design into construction in this environment.
Leaving a lasting legacy
From the iconic UTS Central building, the Modular Schools Program – the first modular school projects in NSW – and Armidale Secondary College, we know that educational infrastructure has a huge impact on the communities where they reside.
Working with the industry’s best architects, consultants and engineers, we value bringing good design to life.
Our job is to carry these designs through by building durable, resilient and adaptable precincts that will last for generations.
After 45 years in the industry, Our General Manager – ACT, Michael Ensor, has departed from RCC.
At the helm of the ACT Business Unit for the past 10 years, we have enormous gratitude for Michael’s exceptional contribution to creating a long-lasting legacy in the region.
An ACT veteran, Michael has helped build RCC’s strong reputation for delivery certainty and has set the business unit up for success going forward.
Scott Waller, who is well known to the ACT construction industry, will be stepping into the acting General Manager role for the region. Scott and the 70 local team members will continue to deliver community focused projects for the ACT and surrounding regions.
We want to express our sincere thanks to Michael for everything he’s brought to RCC and wish him all the best as he embarks on his next chapter.
Here are a few examples of Michael’s contribution to our communities and the construction industry through his delivery of these outstanding projects:
RCC is leading the push to future-proof education facilities across private, public and tertiary education infrastructure. Taking a holistic approach, we focus on delivering outcomes that create sustainable learning outcomes for current and future generations.
Educational spaces and surroundings enhance learning and teaching outcomes. When users of the built environment feel inspired, comfortable and safe in a space – wellbeing, interest, and performance follow. At RCC, we collaborate with stakeholders to produce educational spaces that create teaching opportunities and optimal features for learning.
The different drivers for public, private, and tertiary
When planning, designing and delivering educational infrastructure, we factor in the different drivers for each faction.
The private education sector focuses on purposeful, custom architectural design that expresses individual school ethos, messaging and culture. Creating ‘spatial experiences’ that enhance learning for students and teachers is fundamental for this sector.
On the other hand, the public education sector is experiencing a paradigm shift to accommodate the current and forecast student influx into the state.
In the tertiary space, the physical environment and facilities are integral to bring students, teachers and academics together in the interest of knowledge. University campuses need classrooms, libraries, laboratories and lecture theatres equipped with the most modern and properly maintained buildings to provide quality higher education.
Regardless of the driving forces behind each sector, for all education providers, the equation is simple: better facilities equal better education.
While escalation continues, budgets are buying less, and maintenance costs are increasing, adopting blended building models allows us to meet industry demands. To foster in-person and remote learning, these models incorporate elements of bespoke design, modular construction and adaptable spaces. This generates more efficient project delivery, more flexibility for end-users, and creates the best learning experiences for primary, secondary and tertiary students.
Future-proofing educational facilities
As new technologies continue to evolve, buildings need to keep pace. The days of rickety desk rows and blackboards are long gone. Classrooms, lecture rooms, and research labs are now purpose-built to promote student growth and advance teaching. Moreover, digital tools and platforms are transitioning from a standard, one-size-fits-all to individual personalisation, based on each student’s needs which can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
The implication for infrastructure is the allocation of budgets to deliver solutions equipped with the tools and digital hardware that enhance the end-user experience. The bottom lines need to allow for collaborative, secure environments; smart, flexible spaces that can be configured to each task.
To increase the efficiency in educational construction investment, we look at the differing details each sector demands to deliver value for clients and end-users.
Optimisation opportunities
Features like light, air quality, temperature, acoustic environment and facility design all influence the quality of infrastructure. We consult with teachers, parents, students and community stakeholders early in the decision-making process. Our distinctive blank-page collaboration means we have the scope to design solutions specific to each learning environment. There’s no one-size-fits-all template for building educational infrastructure – each project requires a customised approach.
The public sector
This construction sector is motivated to create productive spaces that prioritise community, cost-efficiency and sustainability and seeks the best ways to deliver reliable, safe education environments. With this arm of educational infrastructure under the microscope, attitudes towards planning and maintenance are also shifting.
Overseeing the successful delivery of RCC’s portfolio of projects in the public education sector, our Project Director, Andrew Buchanan emphasises the importance of delivering infrastructure projects to accommodate the increasing intake of students.
“The new normal involves learning beyond the confines of traditional teaching spaces, structures and material resources. This means we must remain agile and work with our clients to deliver future focused learning spaces on time, on budget, with the best quality educational facilities.”
Andrew Buchanan – Project Director, RCC
Our track record of partnering with Government bodies to plan, build and deliver innovative, collaborative, efficient solutions place us in the perfect position to drive change. We’re looking to build on this to support the State’s mission of creating a sustainable market in modern methods of construction.
During his recent visit to Jordan Springs Public School, NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, echoed how our collaborative approach to delivering school infrastructure has impacted the education industry.
“It’s remiss of me not to mention Richard Crookes. We are very blessed in this state, as we’re going through this major infrastructure investment across New South Wales, to have the best builders in the business doing this work. Despite COVID and despite the poor weather that we’ve had in Sydney over this period, these guys are building these schools on time, on budget and it’s great to see.”
Dom Perrottet – NSW Premier
Public sector focus factors
RCC approaches each new public infrastructure project by taking their following drivers into consideration:
Design standardisation
Design tools are more sophisticated than ever, allowing us to advance quality, consistency and efficiency. With these proactive tools, we can adapt quickly to the distinct demands of the application for each school.
Asset management and resilience
Given the recent rise of climate chaos, the idea of asset resilience is critical. In every design, we factor in extreme events such as fire and floods, so should these events occur, the school can continue operating.
Modern methods of construction (MMC)
The public education sector is steadily moving to modular construction, where new buildings are ‘manufactured’ off-site as modules. Public education clients are turning towards MMC, as it’s a faster and cost-effective way to build classrooms that cater to the expected increase of students.
Schools at the heart of communities
The state government initiative, Share Our Space, seeks to place schools as community hubs. This philosophy focuses on joint use, giving the public access to the ovals, playgrounds, sports courts and gardens during the school holidays.
This measure makes school maintenance easy by allowing schools to source and manage local tradies, up to $50k, via the hipages platform. This supports local economies and makes upkeep more autonomous.
To help public education providers meet these objectives, we work closely with a multitude of local government and community stakeholders. Our key focus is to improve their education infrastructure in the smartest, most sustainable and cost-efficient ways. As a result, our facilities bring community and education together, catering to their current needs whilst preparing them for future intakes of students.
The private sector
Here, attention is on the purposeful, custom-tailored design of colleges, buildings, social spaces and classrooms. By approaching every build as a distinct project, rather than a cut-and-paste design, our building outcomes help facilitate greater learning, social connectivity and a more authentic identity realisation between school culture and architecture.
Rather than viewing these spaces as static buildings and rooms, we view them as ‘spatial experiences’ with a focus on quality of facilities, discipline and academic results. We collaborate with consultants and clients to give private school projects a firm framework that heroes best-practice architectural design principles.
For the private sector, our facilities need to emulate a school’s unique identity, whilst enhancing its educational process so students can achieve optimum learning outcomes. This requires a sound understanding of the school’s history, its current situation, the expectations of stakeholders, and the best possible path to meet these expectations. By having a clear vision and consistent alignment between all parties, we can set the roadmap for how bring our client’s vision to life through our projects.
As a result, we deliver outcomes that embrace a ‘whole-campus’ outlook, giving our clients a competitive edge in the market. Our building spaces are also designed to tap into current students’ aspirations, whilst attracting future pupils that reflect the school’s cultural philosophies.
Needs-based solutions
Having delivered over 400 education projects in the public, private and tertiary spheres, we know educational design and construction inside out. Prime examples in each sector include:
Alexandria Park Community School – Demolition of the existing school and construction of a new school suitable for 1,000 primary and 1,200 secondary students.
St Catherine’s School – Demolition of existing structures, as well as the construction of a new multi-storey building comprising a basement-level carpark, aquatic centre, performing arts auditorium and multipurpose hall.
UTS Central – 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.
In each case, we worked closely with our clients to understand their drivers and project vision. This determined the project journey we created, as well as the outcomes we delivered that ultimately enhanced learning and teaching outcomes.
At RCC, our educational facilitates are built to enable world-class learning contexts. We move with innovative research to create future-proof spaces that have the flexibility and forethought to evolve with the ever-emerging needs of students and educators.
Together, we’re delivering infrastructure that’s shaping the future of education.
As the construction industry rides the rise in digital technologies, our in-house digital design team is evolving the way we operate. Driven by tech evolution, industry push, and the desire for smarter builds, technology is propelling practices to optimise construction and achieve greater value, efficiency and lower lifecycle costs.
At RCC, we’re continually innovating to stay competitive in this highly ambitious marketplace. Here’s how digital design is changing the way we work, from inception to completion.
Our Head of Design and Innovation, Samantha Kuiper, emphasises the importance of integrating digital design into current delivery methodologies to boost programme outcomes for the future.
“We believe in embracing technology and industry change. We’re not waiting until digitalisation is a directive – we see the opportunities in technological innovation and are taking a proactive approach to embedding digital design into our processes.”
Sam Kuiper, RCC’s General Manager – Design & Innovation
As digital design makes its macro mark on large-scale infrastructure projects, we integrate it into the company’s actions, so when regulation is a reality, RCC is ahead of the game. To complement traditional design, we embed technologies like 3D modelling, training and development.
BIM AND DIGITAL ENGINEERING
A Building Information Model (BIM) management process allows us to oversee graphic and non-graphical information from end to end on each construction project. It is the core conduit that connects multiple disciplines and different digital design principles together. In other words, BIM is the project bible; the go-to for driving efficiency, value for money, productivity and innovation. Australia’s BIM strategic framework outlines building delivery and management to create standardisation and drive the industry forward.
INTERNAL DRIVERS
Why do we employ digital design? Simply put – to stay competitive and relevant. We test and confirm existing and future designs to get more precise and predictable project information and reusable structures and insights. Investigating cross-function data generates more extensive understanding, which results in superior delivery and commercial decision making. Digital design also improves aspects of communication and visibility between our stakeholders, enabling us to overcome challenges prior to works commencing.
EXTERNAL DRIVERS
Outside RCC, digital design has a three-fold drive: growing client demand, the industry’s need for driving efficiencies and the ANZ Compliances, ISO/AS 19650 Parts 1-6.
Digital design also helps increase accuracy, boost project delivery time, detect discrepancies and work around contingencies such as rain events. With better project visibility, reliability and control, it allows for greater accuracy, integration and better client outcomes. Allowing oversight of the concept, construction and commissioning stages, digital design assists in investigating obstacles to mitigate risk and keeps projects aligned to the original scope.
OUR APPLICATION OF DIGITAL DESIGN WITH SIRIUS
The Sirius building is a Sydney icon, a stalwart of the city’s skyline. Designed to counterpoint the iconic presence of the Sydney Opera House across Circular Quay, the Sirius apartments were conceived in a period when the Brutalist idiom dominated architectural thinking and practice internationally.
JDH Capital engaged us to evolve this piece of history and harmonise the Brutalist origins with new additions and materials. Using various programs, we produced the digital components of the Sirius Project.
DURING ECI PHASE
Using digital design, we created visualisations to communicate how the project will redefine modern living. By combining the architectural, structural and services models, teams analysed the design geometry to understand the overall design, and the constructability of the proposed works.
We used Navisworks Manage to run an object clash detection between the consultant’s designs. The Revizto cloud platform was used to track and resolve any design issues before site installation, whilst streamlining digital coordination between our teams.
DURING DELIVERY
We used a BIM federated model to amalgamate the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and fire models. This was viewed by our team members using Navisworks Freedom. We then ran clash tests and progressed issues through Revizto, where relevant team were assigned the clashes.
Point cloud scans lined into the federated model allowed us to pinpoint existing building elements and optimise the design. With the Revizto Mark Ups tool, we flew through the model in 3D. When we came across an area to review, we pinned a ‘Mark up issue,’ which we then turned into a report and distributed to teams to consolidate their models.
DURING CONSTRUCTION
With the Sirius project in the construction stage, we will implement Augmented Reality (AR) and Smart Reality capturing technologies. AR will facilitate a pre-install Q&A between the RCC team and trades to manage and mitigate on-site risk. Improved reality capturing through remote devices (Revizto) and computer vision (Build AI) will continue to optimise compliance checks through post-install and build recording.
Using a 4D model, we will track any materials procured, as well as monitor the installation of specific elements and scenario testing methodologies to prove viability. This will help us visualise our construction sequencing, identify errors and optimise the path of our works.
INTERNAL BENEFITS OF DIGITAL ENGINEERING AND BIM
These technologies allow us to make better decisions quickly, optimise design, automate engineering and reduce the risk involved in off-site and on-site construction. These functions make us more innovative across all projects and within our team, consultant and stakeholder collaborations. They promote more efficient delivery time, proactive risk management through early recognition and minimise rework by finding coordination challenges before fabrication and installation.
Digital simulation allows more forethought and implementation to optimise health and safety. Virtual site simulation facilitates better planning and site logistics and gets all stakeholders on the same page. These technologies also encourage pinpoint accuracy in estimating the costs of supply orders and staging trades.
CLIENT BENEFITS OF DIGITAL ENGINEERING AND BIM
Outside RCC, superior client satisfaction and end-user results are crucial benefits of executing these technologies. Visualisation and simulation help clients fully comprehend their project’s design and construction process, as well as mitigate risks early. This provides an efficient way of gathering data and managing their assets, which boosts confidence and offers more certainty.
After we complete projects, BIM and digital engineering assist us in better systemising data for asset and facilities management and quality maintenance records. We ensure excellence by using ‘Next Gen’ digital technologies like Cloud tech, Augmented Reality and AI to design and build. A win: win.
BARRIERS TO GOING DIGITAL
Making digital design second nature involves ironing out a few kinks. When our supply chains are at different stages of digital aptitude, our subcontractors can’t match the digital capabilities for delivery. We bridge this gap by sourcing expertise and training our project partners.
The Digitisation of Construction Report shows cost impedes the adoption rate. 67% of builders and designers claim that the expense of buying and licensing software is a barrier. This explains the reluctance of builders and consultants to purchase the software and upskill their workers.
Like any significant shift, there’s always resistance. Age demographics and cultural norms within the construction industry contribute to slow tech adoption. At RCC, we know that in the face of new ideas, complacency and scepticism are common. That’s why we adopt patience, communication and education to work around this.
The construction industry has clear delineation between disciplines, so unified workflows linking engineers, subcontracting firms, designers, and general contractors can be challenging.
We navigate all obstacles by allaying fears to arrive at digital acceptance and adaptation. Having already transformed countless industries, the evolution of digital design in the construction sector will revolutionise project outcomes for clients.
IN-HOUSE DIGITAL LEARNING
Our tiered training in digital design training informs our actions business-wide. Our Digital Engineering 101 Fundamentals & Concepts course gives all our people an entry-level understanding of BIM and digital engineering and how we use them. Digital Engineering 102 Project BIM Use covers the basics, and Digital Engineering 103 for Project BIM Management is our advanced module. Both teach the software skills required to competently coordinate the digital aspects of a project and manage the BIM data efficiently and effectively.
“Our training is tiered to build robust understanding. The tiers tailor to the level of detail needed for each position and each person’s familiarity with the software. We also factor in the nature of the project they’re looking to support.”
– Dean James, RCC’s Digital Design Manager
At RCC, these training initiatives bring global digital design trends in-house. They help us shape our people, so they’re poised to further the future of digital construction.
FORDING THE DIGITAL FRONTIER
At RCC, we’re seizing the digital reins – initiating a proactive approach to an increasingly tech-led and data-driven shift. As digital design continues to evolve in the construction space, we’re developing new skills; training, educating and implementing technology functions to achieve the best results for our clients.
To stay ahead of trends and strengthen our innovation, we empower our people with cutting-edge digital design tools to ensure our end-users occupy safe, cost-effective and reliable buildings. We’re digitally designing a smarter way to build.
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School is an exclusive agricultural boarding school situated on a 500-acre farm on the outskirts of Tamworth. D&C works included construction of new specialised Technology and Applied Sciences (TAS) building, housing metalwork / woodwork facilities, teaching spaces, new adjacent carpark, new access road leading to adjacent farm located on-campus and external lift providing access to existing building.
Additional works included refurbishment of existing classrooms and dormitories, and new common space and new sick-bay.
Client: NSW Department of Education Architect: NBRS Partners Delivery Form: Design & Construction Location: Tamworth, NSW Value: $10m Completion date: February 2019
RCC recently completed 6HSL; a world leading Innovation Hub which will facilitate collaboration between education and industry by blending A-grade commercial amenity with a vertical campus for the Built Environment.
Standing in the heart of the Parramatta CBD and recognisable by the ‘H’ for Hassall Street incorporated into the Northern Elevation, this facility is the result of a collaboration between project stakeholders Charter Hall, Western Sydney University, Solutions Consulting, Blight Rayner Tzannes, Robert Bird Group, Floth and RCC.
Delivering During Covid
RCC started on site in December 2019. Covid arrived in March 2020 and has affected the construction industry ever since. The team remained agile throughout 18 months of lockdowns and restrictions, adapting the design and construction approach to respond to changing requirements and ultimately complete the project in line with the initial programme.
Key to this success was the careful management of the project’s critical path. Weekly planning sessions enabled identification of programme opportunities and risks, as well as proactive planning of upcoming works and supply chain engagement to limit the impact of overseas procurement delays.
Protecting workers’ physical and psychological safety throughout this period was paramount. The effects of border closures and lockdowns caused fatigue across the industry, so a number of mental health initiatives were implemented to support staff and stakeholders.
More about 6HSL
The 6-star GreenStar, 19-storey building puts innovation and engineering on display, with 15 metre exposed off-form concrete columns and structural steel V bracing integrated into the glass facade. The building technology includes an integrated communications network, smart bathrooms, touchless amenities, one-tap building access, public wifi, wireless charging outlets and lift call apps.
Western Sydney University’s Built Environment Campus resides on the first 6 floors, with the integrated fit out of the Engineering and Architectural faculties including robotics labs, teaching spaces, open learning and amenities.
Structural and mechanical engineering allowed the team to increase the NLA available on levels 7-17 offering fully optimised floor plates built around a tech-infused spine.
Throughout construction RCC worked with the community to build local capability, with a Kickstart Café offering employment for disadvantaged youth and a Strategic Alliance Framework with the Western Sydney University which involves ongoing commitments to research, curriculum co-delivery and industry engagement.
“Following the mutually successful outcome 6 Hassall Street has delivered for Charter Hall, Western Sydney University and RCC, we look forward to extending our relationship as part of the iQ Westmead project.
RCC has demonstrated its resilience, adaptability, and commitment to a common goal in navigating multiple forms of construction disruption to deliver 6HSL within program.”
Mark Stante, Charter Hall
We are privileged to continue our partnership with Charter Hall and Western Sydney University on the Westmead Innovation Quarter project; another multidisciplinary research space that allows collaboration between business, health and research.
Westmead Innovation Quarter is due for completion later this year.
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:
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.
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”
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.
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 &
One aspect we love, is the building’s engineering being on display, providing an inspirational teaching tool to enhance student experiences. As a result, students can have an immersive, hands-on experience with real-life engineering that helped create the building they are learning in.
As digital design makes its macro mark on large-scale infrastructure projects, we integrate it into the company’s actions, so when regulation is a reality, RCC is ahead of the game. To complement traditional design, we embed technologies like 3D modelling, training and development.
DURING ECI PHASE
We used 
At RCC, these training initiatives bring global digital design trends in-house. They help us shape our people, so they’re poised to further the future of digital construction.
