International Women’s Day 2023

March 8, 2023

Cracking the Code & Embrace Equity

Today we are celebrating the amazing women of RCC across our sites and offices. While the pursuit of gender equity is bigger than one day, IWD reminds us to amplify conversations that will drive progress, but also to reflect on our achievements.

True gender equity needs to be wholistic, which is why our focus is split across a business and industry approach. Internally, we have launched a culture program that underpins our formal DE&I approach, working with every RCC employee to build consistent, caring and inclusive behaviours. Externally we are partnering with industry peers and institutions to start building more opportunities for women at school age. Without change at this level, the industry won’t be able to move past 12% female participation. We look forward to an industry that has both equity and equality for everyone. Right now, we’re looking back to when RCC began the journey of increasing female participation and celebrating the success of women. We won’t stop here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming Richard Brown to the RCC Family

March 1, 2023

This week we welcome Richard Brown to the RCC family, as ACT General Manager.

He has rockstar project and executive management experience and we are excited that Richard’s construction legacy will continue with the ACT business. Richard will be leading the long-tenure team, known for its commitment to delivering projects that enhance the local ACT community.

“Richard Crookes’ reputation in our industry is second to none. To be part of the heritage which has made RCC what it is today is extremely humbling” says Richard

Looking for a new challenge after delivering major commercial and aviation projects in the UK, Richard moved to Australia in 2008 with his wife and two children and never looked back. Throughout the 2010’s, Richard often worked in Canberra and formed lasting relationships and an affinity for the city, the people, and the culture. Richard is extremely proud to be appointed as GM for the ACT business and to be living and delivering projects in Australia’s capital city.

“Although the ACT business unit is already a high performing team, I hope to apply the lessons learnt over a long and varied career and secure Richard Crookes as the contractor of choice for our clients in the ACT”


An engineer, now General Manager, Richard has managed large multidisciplinary teams, from both the construction and client management perspectives. During his career, Richard has been involved in many high profile projects; Terminal 5 Heathrow, The New British Library, The Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Sydney Opera House. His experience spans the public and private sectors in commercial, correctional, health, aviation, defence, mission critical, tertiary education, rail and civil. In more recent years, Richard has had a number of senior executive roles focused on operations and developing new business, people, and culture.

Jamie Crookes and the ACT Team would like to thank Scott Waller’s huge contribution acting as the General Manager for the past 6 months. His positive attitude and love for construction will continue to be central to the ACT team culture.

Please join us in congratulating Richard on his new position, or chortle together over the Southampton Football Club’s current performance.

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

February 6, 2023

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

December 16, 2022

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

Celebrating our Biggest Achievement – Sydney Modern

December 3, 2022

Celebrating the opening of Sydney Modern – RCC’s most significant project to date

Sydney Modern is one of the most significant projects delivered by Richard Crookes Constructions (RCC) in our 46 year history. An already complex project with a bespoke design and construction approach, the RCC team also overcame challenges caused by bushfires, the pandemic and record rainfall. Throughout, we continued to execute innovative construction methods to deliver an iconic, state of the art gallery space for the community. 

In line with the Sydney Modern Project’s 6-star Green Star design rating over 8,000sqm of green roof and landscaped area planted with Australian native species and 735 solar panels have been installed, with the panels covering nearly 1,500sqm of roof top space. RCC enjoyed the challenge in the repurposing of the existing two disused World War II naval oil tanks. This resulted in a new unique art space in the southern tank, while the northern tank structure has been partially retained for the adjacent back of house area and loading dock servicing the new building. 

The Tank space in the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new SANAA-designed building. Photograph: Jenni Carter

Navigating a unique site, the quality of the project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the RCC project team. The building is formed by a series of pavilions, and is suspended over one of the city’s busiest freeways. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning practice SANAA, partnering with local practice Architectus, the focus was on complimenting the location.  The new exhibition space is an expression of the city’s deep love of the Arts, and is the most significant cultural development in the city, since the opening of the Sydney Opera House nearly half a century ago.

 

Aerial view of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photograph: Iwan Baan

Working collaboratively to deliver on the collective vision, they were able to remain agile in the face of the challenges arising from the pandemic and record rainfall throughout the construction journey. 

Interior view featuring Takashi Murakami Japan Supernatural: Vertiginous After Staring at the Empty World Too Intensely, I Found Myself Trapped in the Realm of Lurking Ghosts and Monsters. Photograph: Iwan Baan

It is an honour to have partnered with the Infrastructure NSW, the Art Gallery of NSW and the local community to deliver this exceptional project. We look forward to celebrating this project, and all it offers to the city of Sydney, its visitors and the Arts Community for many years to come.

 

Take a virtual tour through the newly delivered space:

 

Yayoi Kusama Flowers that Bloom in the Cosmos 2022. Photograph: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Zan Wimberley
Installation view of Francis Upritchard Here Comes Everybody 2022. Photograph: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christopher Snee
Installation view of the Yiribana Gallery featuring (from left) Yukultji Napangati Untitled 2005, Doreen Reid Nakamarra Untitled 2007, Bobby West Tjupurrula Tingari sites around Kiwirrkura 2015 and Ronnie Tjampitjinpa Tingari fire dreaming at Wilkinkarra 2008, and (top) Yhonnie Scarce Death zephyr 2017. Photograph: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Zan Wimberley
Installation view of Lee Mingwei Spirit House 2022. Photograph: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Diana Panuccio

9 Excellence in Construction MBA Awards

November 14, 2022

We are ecstatic to have taken home nine awards at the Master Builders Association of New South Wales Excellence in Construction Awards 2022 on Saturday night!

These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements by our teams and project partners involved in the delivery of these award-winning projects. Delivering projects we are proud of, and creating quality outcomes for our clients and community is what we do, so it’s incredibly rewarding to receive industry recognition for innovation and excellence at this year’s MBA awards.

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 2022 NSW MBA ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards.

Riverview Assisted Living Aged Care

February 2, 2022

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

December 22, 2021

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

December 21, 2021

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

December 16, 2021

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