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.

 

 

RCC: 10th Best Place to Work in Australia!

September 12, 2019

RCC is thrilled to be recognised as the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia – a milestone achievement that reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that everyone at RCC genuinely looks forward to coming into work each day.

The Great Place to Work (GPTW) assessment is a feedback-based study obtained from a confidential survey of our 600+ employees and an independent audit across 9 practice areas. See the results of the 2019 GPTW study here.

2018 was our first evaluation in the study, and to be named 17th in our category (100-999 employees) was a remarkable achievement, to which we are incredibly proud.

Following our success last year, 2019 saw the integration of several new initiatives entirely unique to RCC and the support, development and appreciation of our growing teams. We feel that it is a combination of our highly talented employees and RCC’s unique culture, value-oriented initiatives that we are now considered among Australia’s top 10 Best Places to Work.

 

 

“Recognition as one of the Greatest Places to Work in Australia is a significant achievement for RCC in a demanding and pressurised construction market. To make it to the top 10 is an outstanding result.”

“For me, what makes RCC great is our people. They are our best assets, and this result reflects their contribution to the business and work environment and our commitment to ensuring their voice is heard as we continue to grow.”

Jamie Crookes – Managing Director of Richard Crookes Constructions

 

We are a private, family-owned company dedicated to building an open, honest and collaborative culture that is fulfilling for all our staff. We have a lot of heart for what we do for each other.

It would be no surprise that RCC’s most fundamental value is family.  Being a private, family-owned company dedicated to building an open, honest and collaborative culture means that coming to work at RCC is more than just a job for all our staff. New members are welcomed into the RCC family right from day one, including an induction that sets the tone for the business they have joined. We ensure that all new starters have a number of activities to complete to help form part of their integration plan.  They are set up with a “buddy” to help them with everything they need to comfortably transition into the business. Our founder, Richard Crookes, personally welcomes all new starters and we find it is this familial touch that sets RCC apart from other large companies.

Similarly, our staff appreciation events encourage RCC teams to spend time with their families whilst team building – whether it’s at the zoo, running the City2Surf or in an Italian style cooking class. Events like these are important to us, but it’s the enthusiasm of our employees which make them memorable.

RCC offers an environment that can facilitate career growth, personal opportunity and an exciting workplace through its diversification.  Being a family business means that family is high on the agenda at RCC providing family-based benefits including generous paid parental leave packages, additional paid annual leave to encourage more time spent with family and friend, family days out and much more.

Growing our own has always been a fundamental principle of how we manage the business therefore we invest heavily in technical training, personal development as well as a suite of team building activities which form a consistent and dynamic social calendar. Since our success in 2018, we have unveiled a suite of initiatives including a Women Leading program, Health & Wellbeing and Workplace Giving Programs – all working to help maintain our strong commitment to a thriving and lively workplace. They’re also fundamental to our company’s core values: Client First; Delivering Certainty; We Do What We Say; Family Values; and First Step Safety.

 

 

RCC is also committed to celebrating the achievement of our people; our best asset. Complimentary to our staff initiatives is our Rewards and Recognition program that recognises the outstanding behaviour and performance of our employees. RCC’s Hats Off awards encourages peer-to-peer appreciation for those who go above and beyond, and we regularly celebrate key project milestones throughout the year. We also support informal team appreciation events to build an organic, in-team culture.

To be ranked 10th Best Place to Work in Australia is confirmation that we value a supportive, fulfilling and dynamic work environment – and RCC employees agree.

Do you think you would enjoy the journey of working on exciting projects, with highly skilled, passionate people in a positive and supportive workplace? Find out what it’s like to be part of the RCC family…

 

UTS Central Complete – RCC Delivers on Teaching Facilities of the Future

August 29, 2019

This month RCC completed the UTS Central project, marking the end of a three-year partnership with the UTS and FJMT to deliver a 17-storey vertical campus in the heart of the Broadway Campus. RCC was engaged as managing contractor for the UTS Central project in May 2015, which included a 12 month pre-construction phase.

The glass-encased building features state of the art learning commons and collaborative spaces, a new UTS Library, a super lab, UTS reading room, food court and Faculty of Law and Engineering accommodation and learning facilities. The team worked with numerous end users throughout the construction period to deliver unique fit out requirements that meet faculty needs whilst working with the curved façade and building voids.

Our project team has been on site at UTS since 2011, having previously delivered the Health and Science Precinct, and has been focused on building collaborative relationships with the client team and associated stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for the project.

“It has been great working with the RCC team.  It’s been a really good working environment, there is a lot of pride taken in the work which is really reflected in the finished product”

Dane Sinclair, Senior Project Manager, UTS

UTS Central is a stunning dual design including an undulating tower above a 5-storey podium – both encased in a semi-transparent glass façade which RCC developed a specialised craned form-work system to install.

The Central project comprises a number of trademark features including a double helix staircase, geometric solar panels on the northern façade and a water recycling scheme sourced from the neighbouring Central Park. This initiative has been a contributing factor to achieving the building’s 5 Star Green Star Design rating.

Throughout construction, our in-house BIM team was focused on providing clients and user groups with innovative and sophisticated solutions that reduce project risk, time and cost. In addition to upskilling consultants and subcontractors throughout the project, the BIM Engineers were able to advise FM teams on how to integrate the models into their maintenance platforms, ensuring value continued throughout operation.

   

 

Previous experience has proven that involving user groups and stakeholders in the construction process delivers a better construction journey and aids project objective realisation. RCC has delivered 34 University projects across NSW and ACT, and this experience gives us insight into both best practice teaching and student engagement opportunities. Throughout the delivery of this exciting project, RCC actively engaged with the university to contribute to scholarships and curriculum, offering an immersive experience for students.

“Through the establishment of the RCC scholarships and research, RCC is not only changing the lives of talented and hard-working students, but also the landscape for the construction industry innovation, knowledge, development and thought leadership. Scholarships provide the opportunity to spend time within RCC on a paid work placement which will be invaluable when moving into their careers.

UTS is delighted to partner with RCC and to further deepen (OUR) mutual understanding and academic engagement within (our) construction courses. Collaborations that add value to all parties now include a growing series of guest lecturing, information sharing and site visits, all just moments away from the major RCC construction site of the new flagship building: UTS Central.

There is a powerful synergy between how RCC and UTS go about problem solving: using innovative ways of thinking that ensure the focus remains on practical, industry-focussed outcomes.  The vibrant nature of the partnership between RCC and UTS is very much in keeping with this approach and is an inspiration to all involved.”

Liz Hardy – Deputy Director, Faculty Advancement, UTS

The successful completion of the UTS Central project is a testament to RCC’s client-first, collaborative approach to construction. We are proud to produce a building of this calibre in line with budget and program requirements, whilst incorporating additional scope of works throughout the project.

           

 

 

 

RCC’s Second Tower Crane in Circular Quay

July 25, 2019

Opera Residences Project Reaches a Milestone

The Opera Residences team are celebrating a major milestone with the erection of the project’s tower crane.

Following 6 months of bulk and detailed excavation down to 18 metres below sea level and the commencement of sub-structure works, the team erected RCC’s 2nd tower crane in the Circular Quay skyline.

Our name is also up in lights on the nearby Loftus Lane project, part of AMP capital’s exciting Quay Quarter development.

The Opera Residences 400tn mobile crane has been set up no less than 30 metres from the iconic Sydney Harbour, making an exciting sight for Circular Quay onlookers. Its initial free-standing height of 43 metres, making it easily visible from around the quay as well as from the Cahill Expressway.

The crane driver on the Opera Residences project will have the best seat in the house with these views of Sydney Harbour!

 

More on the Opera Residences Project

This exciting residential and mixed-use development for Macrolink and Landream Australia will be a vibrant addition to the popular Bennelong Point precinct in Circular Quay.

The $140m design and construction project involves 104 high end apartments over 19 levels, three levels of retail space which include restaurants, swimming pool and gym and 6 levels of basement car parking. Public domain works include a through-site link (public stairway) from Circular Quay to Macquarie Street and a general upgrade to the Circular Quay Public Domain immediately west of the site incorporating the new Arc Café.

 

 

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

 

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.