Although the ceremony and celebration may have been virtual, there was no shortage of applause for the winners of the 2020 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison, said that an impressive 127 finalists were announced back in December 2019, so it has been a longer wait than usual to unveil the winners.
“In a year of unprecedented change, our industry’s commitment to designing, building and managing great places remains steadfast,” Mr Morrison said.
“Our industry shapes the future of our cities, and has a strong commitment to excellence and innovation as the winners of these awards demonstrate.”
This year Investa’s Barrack Place was presented with the coveted Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year Award. Located at 151 Clarence Street, and strategically placed between Martin Place and Sydney’s Western Corridor, Barrick Place is an A-grade commercial office tower which Practical Completion in 2018.
Designed by Architectus, the 23-storey building features a contemporary glass tower atop a masonry podium façade. A fine-grain ground-floor network of laneways creates an active thoroughfare between Clarence and Kent streets.
With abundant natural light and spectacular views across the city, Investa’s Barrack Place boasts a 6 Star Green Star rating for completed construction. It also features Australia’s first WELL Core-and-Shell Gold pre-certification, recognising a building design that contributes to occupant health and wellbeing.
“Investa’s Barrack Place delivered Australia’s first operational smart building digital twin, Bluetooth smart-phone entry, exceptional end-of-trip facilities, advanced air filtration and multiple green spaces,” said RLB’s NSW Managing Director, Matthew Harris.
“Investa and Oxford Properties have transformed a dated 1960s concrete tower into an inspiring, dynamic office building that embodies the future of work,” added Mr Morrison.
Investa’s Barrack Place also took home the Colliers International Award for Best Office Development and the Landcom Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings.
The Green Square Library & Plaza (owned by City of Sydney and nominated by Arup) took out the Woods Bagot Award for Best Public Building. Located in a former marshland and below the water table, Green Square Library & Plaza is at the heart of a community that will be home to 61,000 people by 2030.
The 2,300 square metre library is flooded with natural light, thanks to 40 skylights, while a subterranean garden provides quiet space in the fresh air. A central wastewater system and low-energy displacement ventilation system contributed to the library’s 5 Star Green Star rating.
“The building is an engineering marvel, with Arup’s expertise across 17 engineering disciplines creating much-needed community infrastructure in Green Square and new green space – both key priorities for the City of Sydney as it seeks to support rapid growth and enhance liveability,” said Mr Morrison.
Moreover, the Hiflow Award for Best Shopping Centre Development went to Stockland Green Hills. A $421 million redevelopment doubled the size of Stockland Green Hills to create a retail, dining and entertainment destination centred around community connection and experience, accessibility and inclusivity. Located in East Maitland, Stockland Green Hills has served the local community since 2002.
The project created more than 2,500 new jobs during construction as well as ongoing jobs in retail, customer service, operations and hospitality.
RLB Director, South Australia, Peter Tulla, said Stockland Green Hills demonstrates why retail will remain at the heart of the communities.
“Since the redevelopment, food catering has almost doubled, the apparel market share has grown and so has customer engagement. Stockland Green Hills now rivals any leading metro shopping centre in Australia,” Mr Tulla said.
A full list of winners in the 2020 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards can be viewed here.