RCC Fast Tracks School Construction, Ready for Day 1 Term 1

RCC Fast Tracks School Construction, Ready for Day 1 Term 1

As a people business, we pride ourselves on delivering certainty for our clients through open, honest and collaborative partnerships.  

When faced with the unique challenge of fast tracking four schools to offset extended inclement weather and other conditions, the RCC team worked closely with subcontractors and School Infrastructure NSW to develop a market leading programme that would enable the schools to open Day 1 Term 1 2023.  

This week we saw the success of this approach as Edmondson Park Public School, Galungara Public School, Jordan Springs Public School and Nangamay Public School opened their doors to new and returning students. Nangamay in particular was delivered in a record time of nine months. 

These projects exemplify our commitment to supporting the NSW Government in their delivery of state- of-the-art learning facilities for students and communities across the state and brings the total number of schools delivered by RCC to a huge 320.  

We look forward to continuing to support the roll out of school infrastructure across NSW in the future. 

Emergency Contacts – Holiday Closure 2022/2023

Our offices and sites will be closed or operating with reduced hours throughout the holiday season between the 23rd of December 2022 and the 9th of January 2023. We have provided a list of emergency contacts for all projects in the event that you need to get in touch with a member of our team during this time.

​We wish everyone a happy and safe festive season and new year!

Emergency Site Contacts – Christmas Period 2022

Enhancing the end-user experience with Westmead Innovation Quarter

Westmead Innovation Quarter: Combining research with tech

We love building spaces with the end user in mind.

A prime example of this is the recently completed Westmead Innovation Quarter, where research meets technology and the brightest minds in the field are united.

Partnering with Charter Hall and Western Sydney University, we built a multidisciplinary, mixed-use research facility to allow for collaboration between three of the University’s renowned research institutes: the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, NICM Health Research Institute and the Translational Health Research Institute, who will reside in this world-class facility, alongside CSIRO and other health tenants.

With a 5 Star Green Star and Silver WELL shell and core rating, this A-Grade commercial and health space now creates a vibrant space that its tenants can now enjoy.

Learn more about our project here.

 

 

 

Breaking ground on the Northern Beaches

Sod turn for industrial and office development on Northern Beaches

Celebrations were in order as we broke ground alongside our client EG Funds, and project partners at the recent Northern Beaches Business Park launch event.

We were joined by Northern Beaches Mayor, Michael Reagan, and EG’s Chairman, Dr Michael Easson AM, to mark the start of an exciting project that will see the delivery of a leading industrial and office development.

The site at 4-10 Inman Road, Cromer, represents one of the largest employment renewal opportunities in the Northern Beaches, with the potential to bring up to 600 jobs and diversified employment opportunities.

“For EG, the Northern Beaches Business Park is about building in good so people see the site as an enhancement to the Northern Beaches, an opportunity to diversify local employment and be part of a working community that’s integrated, and not gated, to the broader community.”

Dr Michael Easson AM, EG Chairman

The development also includes extensive environmentally sustainable design commitments such as the recycling of demolution materials to achieve zero off site waste and the capacity to generate up to 2 mega watts of solar power – the equivalent of 400 homes for one year.

Read EG Funds’ full article here.

 

 

Opera Residences

Sydney’s Iconic Opera Residences

Redefining luxury with Opera Residences

Partnering with Macrolink and Landream Australia, we’re proud to have delivered the Opera Residences.

Nestled in the heart of Sydney, with spectacular views of our iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge and The Royal Botanic Garden, this residential project has created a new age of high-end living, whilst enhancing Sydney’s global identity.

The project involved the delivery of luxury residences with a commanding hold over Sydney Harbour’s globally recognised icons and monuments. We also managed the construction of 104 high end apartments across 19 levels, ground level retail, restaurants, 18m x 7m swimming pool and gymnasium within East Circular Quay Public domain thoroughfare.

Learn more about our project here.

Fly across Oakdale East Estate

Take a flight across Oakdale East Estate

The effects of a global pandemic and lockdowns have driven exponential growth of the manufacturing and distribution sector across Australia, shifting the focus on innovation and efficient economic growth.

Goodman and Brickworks are meeting these requirements at the new Oakdale East Estate, creating 32,000m² of functional and versatile warehouse space in Western Sydney’s Aerotropolis.One warehouse within the estate delivers one of the most sophisticated masonry plants in the world, occupied by Austral Masonry.

The facility uses the latest in masonry production technologies from overseas suppliers. Capitalising these emerging technologies ensures the production of over 220,000 tonnes of bricks every year, supporting the growing product demand within the construction industry.

Learn more about this project here.

Riverview Assisted Living Aged Care

Setting the standard for contemporary aged living

To meet Australia’s ageing population and increasing urbanisation, trends in aged living infrastructure are shifting towards buildings that cater to a range of lifestyle needs. This has resulted in a preference for independent living supported by community care, as well as a desire for greater autonomy in aged living services.

These trends are reshaping people’s expectations, where variety, quality and accessibility to social infrastructure services are important factors to consider when building aged care facilities.

A NEW ‘AGE’ IN LIVING

Today, providers in the aged care sector are increasingly leaning towards buildings that are adaptable to several stages of aged living. This enables residents to continue living in their communities in an environment where they can enjoy all stages of their life in a single location.

When we were engaged to build a new Assisted Living Apartment (ALA) for our client, Carrington Centennial Care, developing an ‘all-in-one’ building that housed multiple stages of aged living was key.

Combining residential aged care, assisted living apartments and independent living units, the building streamlines all aged living stages under one provider. This new approach enables a range of aged care services to now be included in the ALA environment.

Known as ‘Riverview’, the completed project now creates a space where seniors can readily access essential services and living amenities in a safe, controlled environment.

Consisting of 41 high standard assisted living apartments across three levels, Riverview features a semi-basement car park for 29 vehicles, service and utility spaces on each residential floor and a private Recreation Club including access to an adjacent Wellness Centre, indoor swimming pool, spa and restaurant.

KEY FEATURES

  • A menu of concierge hospitality services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pedicure, hairdressing, medication, companionship support, transport services and palliative care.
  • The building reflects ‘hotel standard’ community facilities on Level 4 consisting of a prep kitchen, dining room, private dining room, a multipurpose lounge and a landscaped roof terrace.
  • Works were carried out within the operational Carrington Estate which is home to existing residents.

With Riverview operational, residents can enjoy comfort and security, with the right balance between independence and care solutions, equipped with a range of services to suit individual needs.

“Carrington pursued this project with passion and excellence in mind. Richard Crookes Constructions underwrote the successful delivery and their invaluable contribution has been followed by a great friendship. We look forward to the team gathering again very soon on our next project.”

 

Raad Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Carrington Care

 

Kokoda Residences Structure Complete

The structure is complete on Waitara’s newest high-rise retirement living development.

RCC was honoured to celebrate with Vasey Communities and WMK Architecture, particularly given the significance of the trees utilised for the traditional ‘Topping Out’ ceremony being six Aleppo pine trees which were propagated from a single pine planted on site from the Aleppo pine seedling which has a unique and powerful lineage and story. Stemming from Gallipoli origins, and the Battle of Lone Pine, Aleppo were common, evergreen Mediterranean pines cleared for Turkish trenches… apart from one solitary pine. After his brother died on the battlefield, an Australian Lance Corporal sent pinecones home to his mother in Australia who planted the seeds, raising two seedlings. One of which was sent to the Australian War Memorial to be planted in its grounds in honour of all sons who fell at Lone Pine ridge. A forestry tube seedling program then designated the Aleppo pine for commemorative purposes. Vasey Communities, with its own ADF heritage, received a seedling, planting it on the current site.

The six Aleppo pine trees that were used during the ceremony will be permanently planted onto the new site.

 

“On behalf of the entire Brand Partners team, I would like to pass on my appreciation for the support and effort the Richard Crookes Constructions team continue to provide our team.
Your attitude to collaboration is sincerely appreciated and we look forward to continuing a great and productive relationship.”

 

Simon Lehman, Co-founder/Director
Brand Partners

 

VERTICAL LIVING RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENTS

Reaching this milestone on this 12 storey urban retirement village development is also significant for RCC as it is the first high-rise building we’ve delivered in the aged care sector.

Vertical living has been coined as the future for today’s retirees who want to live in neighbourhoods where they can readily access cafés, restaurants, shopping and medical services, with public transport on hand. In Waitara, Kokoda residents will live in the heart of the community with easy access to essential services and a secure, comfortable lifestyle.

Scheduled for completion in 2022.

Project fun facts
  • 9,716.2 m3 of concrete – equivalent to 4 Olympic swimming pools
  • Approximately 801 tonnes of reinforcement – equivalent to 130 elephants

 

Take a walk through the facility so far

 

 

Glulam CLT Roof at Cranbrook School

Glulam and Cross-Laminated Timber at Cranbrook School

The installation of the prefabricated Glulam and Cross-Laminated Timber roof structure on the future Chapel marks an exciting milestone in the Cranbrook School redevelopment project delivery.

After managing the procurement process RCC was excited to partner with our project partners throughout the off-site prefabrication of the Glulam, to then have the product arrive on site this month for assembly and installation.

For this project, we used CLT sheeting on top to provide lateral stability to the overall structure. The unique style of the Cranbrook School Chapel was designed by architecture firm, Architectus. Using real timber, the feature was structurally designed by engineering firm, SCP Consulting, with authentic materials procured from Austria by supplier, Viridi, and delivered by ship via Singapore.

 

PROJECT DETAILS

Due to the scarcity of timber in the market, as well as the intricate design of the Chapel, extreme care was taken to ensure that the timber arrived safely.

Our project team employed digital design coordination to manage the design and construction planning process. Using Building Information Modelling (BIM) they produced a detailed digital model of the timber structure to plan and confirm each step of the on-site assembly process. This approach facilitated confident on-site construction and a seamless process when lifting the structure into place with the crane to set into the steel.

With safety as our number one priority, RCC assembled the Glulam on temporary hardstand above slab height prior to lifting it into its final position. This enabled works to be completed from the ground using ladders rather than working at heights.

This measured approach to ensure the safety of workers on site, also protected the rare Norwegian pine itself and streamlined the overall works to maintain the project programme and quality.

 

QUICK FACTS:
  • The glulam timber was designed and modelled in Australia and fabricated in Austria by Viridi.
  • The timber species is Norwegian pine.
  • Viridi has installed the glulam as a kit of parts on site. The kit includes pre-assembled pieces into three cassettes on temporary hardstand, which are then lifted into their final position on structural steel spigots.
  • The glulam has been assembled off the Chapel roof, then craned and set into the Chapel steel.
  • The total ceiling span is 24.6m x 16.6m.
  • Total of 105 glulam members to assemble four roof types and three cassettes.
  • Total weight of glulam is 12.35 tonnes per cassette.
  • The total weight of the timber structure including the steel structure is 34 tonnes.

 

Glulam CLT Roof at Cranbrook School 2

Glulam CLT Roof at Cranbrook School 3

 

WHAT IS GLULAM TIMBER AND WHY WAS IT USED?

Glulam, short for glued laminated timber, is an engineered wood product. Originating in Germany around 1900 and making its way to Australia in the 1950s, it is used for both structural and decorative applications.

A glulam member is made with multiple layers of solid wood lumber bonded together with high-strength adhesive to form a single structural unit. Glulam timber is a versatile and innovative construction material, used widely in commercial as well as residential projects.

Key applications include:

  • Straight beams, including lintels, purlins, ridge beams, and floor beams
  • Columns, including round, square, and complex sections
  • Tied rafters
  • Trusses
  • Tied arches
  • Arched bridge supports
  • Curved beams

Often referred to as the ‘new steel’, glulam timber is renowned for its incredible strength, durability, and sleek aesthetics. It also leaves a small carbon footprint, as the raw material is renewable and can be reused or recycled. Given its reliability and flexibility to be used across an array of applications, glulam timber is in high demand globally and is considered a scarce commodity in the market.

 

 

Emergency Contacts – Holiday Closure 2021/2022

Our offices and sites will be closed or operating with reduced hours throughout the holiday season between the 23rd of December 2021 and the 5th of January 2022. We have provided a list of emergency contacts for all projects in the event that you need to get in touch with a member of our team during this time.

​We wish everyone a happy and safe festive season and new year!

Emergency Site Contacts – Christmas Period 2021