Creative Precast Column Solution

August 6, 2020

Precast column install commenced at St Bede’s Catholic College

This 22T, 12m high column is one of the biggest construction innovations helping build the St Bede’s Catholic College Chisholm.

RCC and Waeger Constructions’ bespoke precast column solution on the project involves sky high structural and architectural feature columns, being transported horizontally on trucks to site and rotated into their final vertical position.

Each precast column weighs approximately 22 tonnes, measuring in size from 1650 long x 500 wide and ranging in height from 7m-12m, without the need for any temporary propping. The columns which extend the full height to the underside of the roof and feature a tapered profile, externally visible around the perimeter of the building.

Pouring these columns insitu (on site) would have presented challenges in relation to materials, plant and labour requirements, so this precast column enhances project efficiency, quality and safety outcomes.

Increased quality control and the ability to form full length columns as well as adjustments to people and plant movements and delivery across multiple work fronts enhances our programme and safety management on site.

Our client, the Catholic Schools Office, St. Bede’s School Principal, and project partners all joined us on site to see the installation of the first 7 of the 51 precast columns.

Thank you to Waeger Constructions and the talented team of consultants and subcontractors partnering with us to deliver this exciting school project in Maitland, NSW.

Installation Timelapse

Keen to see installation in action? Check out the Column Installation timelapse video…

Molecular Horizons – University of Wollongong

July 15, 2020

Molecular Horizons is a purpose-built facility dedicated to illuminating how life works at a molecular level and solving some of the world’s biggest health challenges.

The opportunity to be involved in delivering this high impact research facility is as rewarding as our collaborative delivery experience, partnering with University of Wollongong and our team of consultants and subcontractors.

DELIVERING MOLECULAR HORIZONS

Delivering buildings we are proud of, and knowing the important contribution they make to our community is why we love what we do.

Hear from those who were part of the Molecular Horizons project about their experience of working with RCC to deliver this incredible building.

“The researchers that are in the building they love it. Here they are in a state-of-the-art bright building with new facilities, expanded space and a lot more research capability for them as well and also a higher level of lab certification so they can do higher levels of research.”

Blake Preston
Senior Manager Project Delivery – University of Wollongong

“this was a project where the end users requirements, the scientists, and the process of construction and building was so tightly integrated I think this was a real example of a team of people, academics and construction people, who really had to find each other early on and become a real team with tight and frequent communication. And that was a process that was really good to see that happen very efficiently.

I have received lots of advice in my career never to be involved with the construction of a new building, but I have to say having done it now it was just an absolute pleasure and a real adventure and I think that’s in large part because of RCC”

Antoine Van Oijen
Director, Molecular Horizons
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience – University of Wollongong

MORE ABOUT THE MOLECULAR HORIZONS PROJECT

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.

Hear more about University of Wollongong’s vision behind this world-leading Molecular Life Sciences facility.

MORE ABOUT MOLECULAR HORIZONS RESEARCH

Research Grant for Director OF Molecular Horizons

Congratulations to UoW researcher, Distinguished Professor Antoine van Oijen who was recently awarded $1M for antimicrobial resistance research – a project which will develop a new approach to understanding and tackling drug resistance.

“The first publication out of the facility was something called ATP synthase; that’s a protein in your body that creates the energy source for life which is what your cells use; which is Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) so that was exciting”

James Bouwer
General Manager of Cryo Electron Microscopy – Molecular Horizons
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience – University of Wollongong

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

Innovation Quarter – Westmead

June 23, 2020

The RCC team is excited to be on site and commence works on the 19 storey Innovation Quarter in Westmead.

iQ will be a multidisciplinary research space that allows collaboration between business, health and research – a ‘living lab’ that fosters the sharing of knowledge and resources.

“There’s never been a more important time to focus on health research and innovation, and this project collaboration with Western Sydney University will deliver critical infrastructure to support this”

Mr David Harrison – Charter Hall Managing Director and Group CEO

RCC’s General Manager – Major Projects, Grant D’Arcy, said RCC is honoured to continue working with Charter Hall, in partnership with Western Sydney University to bring the vision of an Engineering Innovation Hub to life;

“Innovation Quarter sets a new benchmark for market leading research facilities, bringing together world class research and Australia’s leading businesses, innovators and academics to solve today’s global challenges.

RCC’s focus is on delivering the digital technology and sustainability amenity required to attract Australia’s leading businesses and provide a collaborative and comfortable environment which facilitates multidisciplinary research.”

Grant D’Arcy – RCC General Manager – Major Projects

Within each building, large and flexible floorplates will offer a variety of office configurations, while future-proofed technology will support a forward-thinking workforce. The east and west towers will share a central square, lined with cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques – an expansive open-air lifestyle destination for Westmead.

The Innovation Quarter (iQ) will undoubtedly make an impact on the Western Sydney skyline and the international research community.

The masterplan for this landmark facility is targeting leading WELL and Green Star ratings, whilst energy and water efficiency systems equivalent to 5-Star and 4-Star NABERS Energy and Water ratings have been created to further reduce outgoings and environmental impacts for tenants and visitors.

Grant noted that RCC will continue their commitment to generating positive impacts beyond the design and construction of quality facilities, ensuring they leverage the project delivery to benefit the local community and the industry.

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.

MBA Excellence In Construction Awards

November 12, 2019

RCC would like to congratulate our project teams and subcontractor, consultant and supply partners involved in delivering the Regiment student accommodation project at the University of Sydney campus in Darlington and the Shortland Correctional Centre in Cessnock.

These collective teams who worked on these projects received an award last weekend at the NSW ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards gala event.

Regiment Student Accommodation University of Sydney NSW MBA Award Category: Student Accommodation Buildings up to $100m	Shortland Correctional Centre Justice Infrastructure NSW MBA Award Category: Public Buildings over $50m

For us, success is about completing a development that RCC, our clients and our project partners can all be proud of. Congratulations to everyone who played a part in the design and delivery of these award-winning projects.

Oran Park’s First Commercial Topping Out

October 31, 2019

Project milestone celebrations are always special, but the recent Topping Out Ceremony at Oran Park celebrated the towns first standalone commercial building and raised funds for a worthy cause.

To mark the completion of the structure on the future TRN House building, Greenfields Development Company, TRN Group and the wider project team joined RCC to see the ceremonial tree craned onto the roof slab.

Our Project Manager, Michael said that being able to share the day with wife and daughter was a hallmark of the collaborative environment and culture on the project;

“Greenfields Development Company share RCC’s family values and it’s rewarding to be working with them, the entire consultant and subcontractor team and the local community so collaboratively”.
Michael Ryan

Mark Perich of Greenfields Development Company in Oran Park Town said, “Once complete, TRN House will be the first A-Grade equivalent standalone commercial space offered for sale or lease in Oran Park Town”.

TRN House will stand alongside the existing Oran Park Podium retail and commercial precinct and will be the latest addition to Oran Park Town’s growing commercial hub.

The event was also an opportunity to promote Pink Up Oran Park, a breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign supporting the McGrath Foundation, which has seen several sites across Oran Park Town turning a shade of pink during the month of October.

Experience for Constructions’ Next Generation

October 24, 2019

Our Snackbrands project at Orchard Hills hosted over 180 students from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) last month, offering them an immersive tour of the site, as well as a series of presentations from our site team.

“I just wanted to pass on a big thank you for coordinating such a great site visit for the students last week. The feedback was amazing. One student was so impressed he’s sent a thank you note of his own with his CV!

The diligence displayed by the RCC team, ensuring every student was signed in and inducted, coordinating manageable and safe group sizes and then escorting each group around the site speaks volumes about RCC’s unwavering commitment to site safety and planning”

Craig Barry – UTS Lecturer

These Construction Management and Civil Engineering students represent the future of our industry; we are proud to be involved in their transition from classroom to construction site and give them a firsthand insight into safe and sustainable construction practice.

Smart & Sustainable GPT Commercial Tower to Set New Benchmark

January 10, 2019

RCC is excited to be partnering with The GPT Group to deliver 32 Smith Street; an A Grade commercial development in Parramatta.

Set to become a landmark building in the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta, the 28-storey commercial tower will include ground floor café & restaurant, 4 levels of podium car park, public domain improvements and 19 levels of commercial office space.

The development will be a Smart building, offering future tenants including the recently signed QBE, a comfortable and inviting environment. There will be parking for 113 vehicles as well as end of trip facilities for 132 bicycles. It will also integrate Comfy App technology, enabling occupants to take control of their environment via their smartphones. Aligned with Parramatta’s Smart City Vision, 32 Smith Street will be a 6D BIM project which will achieve 5 Star Green Star and Silver Formal WELL rating.

The design, selected as a result of a design excellence competition with the City of Parramatta Council, was produced by Fender Katsalidis Architects and will feature a ground level ‘urban room’ event space, an elevated podium terrace facing the Parramatta River and a tree covered sky deck with panoramic views.

The design will include glass lift shafts and glass facades to improve the visual connection from the building to the river and surrounding streets.

Principal at Fender Katsalidis Mark Curzon said:

“We are incredibly proud to have won this important design competition. This amazing project will redefine office design in Parramatta, setting a new benchmark for workplace design, sustainability and public benefit, in a beautiful way.”

The project team is excited to be on site and settling in as part of the local Parramatta community. Whilst the below image of the site shows we are in the early stages, progress will be quick with completion of this iconic development expected end of 2020.

Wollongong Juniors Name Our Crane

November 22, 2018

We appreciate feedback on our delivery; but it also means a lot when our clients acknowledge RCC’s commitment to making a positive community contribution and giving back on every project…

“We much appreciate the effort that RCC has put into the ‘softer’ side of project delivery; this highlights the character and values of your company”
Blake Preston – Senior Manager Project Delivery
University of Wollongong

RCC is currently on site at the University of Wollongong (UoW) delivering Molecular Horizons. We are excited to be delivering this important education and research facility and we’re committed to being part of the campus community during our time on site. In recognition of the valuable work of the Early Start Discovery Space and Kids Uni organisations who are situated on the UoW campus, RCC has run a Name the Crane initiative to engage the children in this exiting construction project.

Name the Crane

RCC started the campaign by introducing students, teachers and parents to the Molecular Horizons projects, construction and the purpose of the crane on site! The children all enjoyed the video of the crane being erected and making cardboard cranes with our site staff! The kids were asked to choose a name for the crane and submit a drawing and we were overwhelmed with how impressive the entries were!

The crane is now called Orion, which highlights both the talent and compassion of this cohort who chose the name in honour of their classmate of the same name who was recently injured! Orion is also a prominent constellation which is an apt name for our very tall crane!

To celebrate the success of the initiative and present the Early Start Discovery Space and Kids Uni with gifts to be enjoyed by students and their families we held a Name the Crane BBQ. Our site team thoroughly enjoyed cooking a BBQ and introducing the children to our excavator!

For RCC, each project we deliver is about more than a quality facility for our clients; it’s about enjoying the journey with our entire client, consultant and subcontractor team and engaging with the local community to generate positive outcomes for all stakeholders and give back!

University of Wollongong Molecular Horizons Project

RCC will be responsible for the design finalisation and construction of Molecular Horizons at the University of Wollongong, Wollongong campus.

This development involves site excavation and establishment works as well as the construction of a 5-storey educational facility up to for 15 researches. The facility will contain:

office and administration areas
meeting and conference rooms
research and chemistry laboratories
animal house
astronomy and chemistry roof platform
pedestrian bridge between Molecular Horizons and the adjoining IHMRI (building 32)
reconfiguration of the eastern portion of P7 car park to accommodate 13 accessible spaces
associated landscaping and public domain works including learning and gathering spaces and gardens
building identification signage

Tag: excellence in construction