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 Neil – He Loves His Job

January 29, 2020

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. RCC is honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

 

Meet Neil Coubrough. This year marks Neil’s 20th anniversary at RCC. With two decades at RCC and a career in construction under his belt, Neil’s seen the enormous growth and evolution the industry has experienced since well before 2000.

But despite an evolving industry, Neil says the culture and camaraderie at RCC has remained steady, and combined with the security his job offers him and his family, Neil says there’s very little reason why he wouldn’t love coming to work each day.

“I think the reason why I love working at RCC has a lot to do with the people and the culture. To me it’s not about the money, it’s about working with a team and a culture that you can genuinely relate to.”

At the turn of the century, when Neil’s RCC journey began, the company was undertaking its first multistage development at the Liberty Grove Residential Complex, ahead of the huge influx of visitors for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Over the next two decades, markets would fluctuate and RCC would take on more projects across various locations and sectors. But despite a growing team taking on larger and more complex projects, Neil says RCC values have remained consistent.

“We’re all one team and we’re all trying to work to the same goal. There’s been a lot of industry change over the last 20 years, but the RCC name and the quality of everyone working here has remained the same. You come to work with your friends. Everyone wants to be here and I think that’s great for the team and the project.”

After starting out as a Sub Foreman and progressing to Site Supervisor, Neil now works within our dedicated Aged Care and Retirement Living division and is currently delivering the landmark M by Montefiore project. Throughout his career, Neil has gained experience across the various aspects of a Site Supervisor role, from structures, to facades and finishes. Now specialising in finishes, Neil’s especially thankful for the way RCC has shown consistent support for his strengths over the years.

“With RCC you have the opportunity to go from being a foreman to a project manager, to a construction manager, if you want to. For me, my path is doing what I do best, and that’s working with people on site and making it all happen on the ground. This is where I’m happy.”

Neil says his approach to managing large teams is simple;

“I think I earn people’s respect because I do what I say. If you say you’re going to get an area ready or do a certain job, you do it. Being true to your word and working safe are important RCC values for us and our clients.”

As one of the project’s go-to men, Neil’s job is all about delivering certainty to his team and the client, Montefiore. Whilst Neil says he loves his job for many reasons, he said that the certainty and security RCC has given him over the years has made the biggest impact on him and his family.

“Feeling safe and being secure is a big thing for me and RCC has always given me that.”

Neil was nominated by his colleagues for the infectious positivity and hard-working attitude he’s brought to RCC for the last 20 years.

Neil’s experience speaks volumes about RCC’s unwavering culture and camaraderie despite the growth and evolution of the industry. By valuing our teams, and specifically their unique strengths and development, a sense of security means people like Neil can become valued, long-serving employees.

 

MORE ABOUT ‘M’ BY MONTEFIORE

Neil is currently a Site Supervisor on the $106m ‘M by Montefiore’ project.

The development consists of 79 luxury Independent Living Units in Sydney’s Randwick. Each apartment features high-end design and quality finishes, setting a new benchmark for quality retirement living.

 

MORE ABOUT OUR 10TH BEST PLACE TO WORK STATUS

The Great Place to Work assessment is a feedback-based study obtained from a confidential survey of our 700+ employees. It involves an independent audit across areas like hiring and integration, health and wellness, as well as workplace culture. In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia, RCC is interviewing 10 employees about why they love their job.

 

Learn more about Great Place To Work Australia and their 50 Best Places To Work Study.

 

 

Meet Gabby – She Loves Her Job

December 20, 2019

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. We’re honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

 

Meet Gabby McGinness. Gabby is a Contracts Administrator based in the ACT. Since joining RCC, just 18 months ago, Gabby has grown to love her job for the mentors, and for her potential to develop and progress with the company.

“After starting with RCC a year and a half ago in the CA role, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Bob Anthony and Dave Archbold who have both been long serving RCC employees – over 20 years. They have been great mentors by always demonstrating the company values and showing me the RCC way.”

As a young cadet, Gabby says she was fortunate enough to receive invaluable mentorship from another female CA she describes as ‘strong, capable and determined’. After working hard to progress to a similar role, Gabby has now been a CA for four years – undoubtedly emulating the same hardworking attitude as her first female mentor.

“I’m working towards Senior CA at the moment, but long term I’d like to be a Contracts Manager. I’d love to manage all the head contract administration and take on more client liaison. The role also appeals to me because of the opportunity to manage and mentor a team in the same way I have been mentored.”

Gabby says that the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion with staff of various ages and levels of experience creates a positive culture and an environment where personal development and mentorship are accessible opportunities for everyone.

“There’s many times that I’ve been the only female on a project site, but I still get treated the same and have the same opportunities as my male counterparts.”

Belonging to a close-knit family herself, Gabby loves her job for the familial bond she’s formed with her team, and says site is a home away from home for her.

“My upbringing has taught me that there’s nothing more important than family, and that’s who you go above and beyond for.

When I joined RCC, I noticed this company has that same feeling within the project team and different business sectors. I think it is great that The Crookes family promote that family company mentality and invite everyone in the company to be a part of it.”

With her sights set on a prosperous career in the construction industry, it’s talented individuals like Gabby that make RCC’s team culture a supportive one. We’re proud to have a workplace that allows for progression, growth and fulfillment, but it’s our RCC family members who ultimately make this possible.

MORE ABOUT THE ANU SA8 PROJECT

The SA8 student accommodation project for the Australian National University (ANU) involves the design and construction of 1031 student accommodation beds with single occupant rooms in 8 buildings across 5-8 storeys. Designs for both SA6 and SA8 buildings are based on student surveys, emphasizing the importance of communal spaces and encouraging greater interaction between students, their families and the campus community. Having delivered the SA6 Bruce Hall Redevelopment project for ANU in 2017, RCC was honoured to be selected as the university’s construction partner to deliver the current SA8 development.

MORE ABOUT OUR 10TH BEST PLACE TO WORK STATUS 

The Great Place to Work assessment is a feedback-based study obtained from a confidential survey of our 700+ employees. It involves an independent audit across areas like hiring and integration, health and wellness, as well as workplace culture.
2018 was the first year RCC entered the assessment and we were thrilled to be awarded 17th Best Place to Work. Within a year, we rolled out a number of new initiatives to better the experiences of our people. To be recognised as the 10th Best Place to Work this year is a credit to our continued commitment to ensuring that everyone at RCC genuinely looks forward to coming to work each day.

Learn more about Great Place To Work Australia and their 50 Best Places To Work Study.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RCC talks ‘Growing Our Regions Well’

November 21, 2018

RCC was proud to sponsor and participate in the recent Property Council of Australia (PCA)’s ‘Growing Our Regions Well’ event. We were honoured to discuss the vision for the Hunter and Central Coast regions with representatives from across a range of disciplines who will, together, contribute to the growth and prosperity of the area.

Giving back to our industry and the communities we live and work in is important to RCC; As a 100% Australian owned, family business we take great pride in knowing that every project we deliver provides the social infrastructure required for our local communities to thrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topping Out at UTS

November 20, 2018

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

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

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

UTS Central Project Fun Facts

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know more about the UTS Central project?

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

 

 

6 MBA Awards for Excellence in Construction

November 7, 2018

RCC is proud to announce we took home 6 awards at this year’s Master Builder Association Excellence in Construction Awards

  • The Epicentre, Baulkham Hills – Tertiary Buildings $30m – $50m
  • Bellevue Hill Public School – Public Schools Open Price Category
  • Airtrunk Sydney Data Centre – Phase 1, Huntingwood – Communications Buildings Open Price Category
  • Northside Clinic, St Leonards – Health Buildings $20m – $60m
  • Leichhardt Green – Residential & Mixed-Use Development Buildings up to $200m
  • NSW Best Use of Concrete – on the Bellevue Hill Public School project

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

 

We believe our ability to win this number of awards, across several social infrastructure sectors is the result of our consistent commitment to a collaborative approach. Our teams partner with clients, consultants and suppliers to design and deliver quality facilities with the end user in mind; we’re proud to be delivering residences, workplaces, community, education and health facilities for our local communities.

 

Want to know more about our 2018 award winning projects?

The Epicentre, Baulkham Hills

Client:   Hills Christian Centre Limited
Award:  Tertiary Buildings $30m – $50m

Bellevue Hill Public School

Client:   NSW Department of Education
Award:  Public Schools Open Price Category &
Best Use of Concrete

Airtrunk Sydney Data Centre – Phase 1, Huntingwood

Client:   Sydney Air Trunk Land Trust
Award:  Communications Buildings Open Price Category

Northside Clinic, St Leonards

Client:   Ramsay Health care
Award:  Health Buildings $20m – $60m

Leichhardt Green

Client:   Greenland Holding Group
Award:  Residential & Mixed-Use Development Buildings   up to $200m

 

 

 

RCC awarded for Excellence in Advanced BIM Implementation

November 1, 2018

2018 Asia-Pacific Oracle Aconex Connect Awards

RCC’s Digital Design Manager, Tyrone Padayachee, has received the 2018 Hero Award for Excellence in Advanced BIM Implementation. This award recognises those championing change in projects to minimise risk and save costs. RCC is committed to digital design as a means of providing our clients with delivery certainty, value for money and quality; this recognition highlights the progress of our strategy and the benefits we are able to provide to our clients.

“The winners of the Oracle Aconex Connect Awards continue to demonstrate the powerful combination of forward-looking technology and strategic vision”

Leigh Jasper, Vice President – Aconex Strategy and Operations
Oracle Construction and Engineering

Now in its third year, the global awards honour organisations across the globe for innovation in delivering significant construction and engineering projects efficiently and effectively.

 

Oracle Aconex Connect Awards

Find out more about the 2018 Asia-Pacific Oracle Aconex Connect award winners

 

 

Regiment Structure Complete

August 23, 2018

RCC met University of Sydney staff on the level 9 roof slab of the Regiment building yesterday to celebrate completing the structure! We took a moment to reflect on what has been achieved since breaking ground 6 months ago, as the ceremonial tree was craned onto the roof slab.

The only thing more impressive than the rooftop city views is the 650 tonnes of steel, 19,5000m2 of formwork and 6.650m3 of concrete that went into the structure! That’s enough concrete to full up an Olympic swimming pool twice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be completed in February 2019, the new development will offer affordable student accommodation, community facilities and teaching spaces.

The new $68.6m mixed use redevelopment will consist of:

  • 656 single dorm size rooms of Circa 10.1-10.3m2 min. 5% (33 rooms) shall be Accessible/Adaptable rooms Circa 13.8m2
  • Two 2-bedroom apartments for the Deputy and Head of Hall Accommodation
  • Communal lounges, games, study and music rooms, flexi spaces and kitchen facilities
  • Shared toilet and bathroom amenities
  • Shared communal laundry facilities
  • Bike Storage for 175 bikes and staff end of trip facilities.
  • Teaching hub, technology hub, theatre and teaching rooms.
  • Office space and meeting rooms for Student Accommodation support staff
  • Public landscaped forecourt, private courtyards and landscaped roof terraces

Find out more about RCC’s Student Accommodation project delivery…