Projects nominated in this year’s Excellence in Construction Awards Commercial Buildings over $80 million category range from a hospital to an apartment complex.

Judge Russell Bates said that the category was particularly difficult to judge this year owing to the range of project types and how close the scoring was.

“In previous years we have had some one-off buildings like sports stadiums or major hospital projects that really stood out as winners but this year each project was more standard yet unique,” Russell said.

“Each was of a very high quality, with its own set of challenges to overcome which made judging very difficult.”

Among the projects in contention are:

  • The Guilfoyle by L.U. Simon Builders;
  • RACV Torquay by Kane Constructions; and,
  • The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre by Leighton Contractors.

When judging the projects, Russell said that the main things he looked for were the quality of finishes, the degree of difficulty, the value for money and innovation in overcoming challenges.

“A couple of these projects had some very complex interface issues with brownfield sites to overcome,” Russell explained.

“The Guilfoyle represented very good value for money. The quality of finish delivered for the project was excellent and it was constructed on very tight site surrounded by existing building complexes and roadways, “ he said.

“The RACV project was presented with some unique challenges with rammed earth walls and extremely high quality finishes and complex brownfield site interfaces with the existing golf course. The level of detailing between finishes and services required significant co-ordination between trades.”

“The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre was a very complex structure with significant co-ordination challenges with the existing hospital having to continue operating throughout. The project also required the refurbishment of an existing heritage building, all within a tight budget and time frame.”

To find out who won the Excellence in Construction Awards Commercial Buildings over $80 million category come to the Excellence in Construction Awards next month.

Date: Friday, 8 August.
Time: 6.15 for 7pm start.
Venue: Crown Palladium, Southbank.
Cost: $200 per seat (Three course dinner, drinks and entertainment included).

Call (03) 9411 4555 to book you tickets now. Read more about the EICA here. Follow all of the Master Builders Awards news on Twitter and Facebook with #mbavawards.