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The sandstone archway entrance to the library is an intricate component of the build, with the keystone – the top stone in the archway – the largest and most complex stone Gosford Quarries has manufactured in 20 years. An imperative component of the keystone’s installation was perfect alignment, an impressive achievement that took close to 8 hours to complete!

In keeping with the Scots Baronial design, the College’s rich history and traditions will be reinforced through the use of traditional materials, styles and techniques of the period. The Taylor team worked closely with the architect on pre-construction design to meet the vision of the project whilst maintaining the functionality and value of the building.

Taylor is excited to share that our Major Projects division has been chosen by Scape Australia to deliver the new Scape Kingsford student accommodation building, located on Anzac Parade and Bunnerong Road.

Forming part of the Randwick City Council’s K2K Strategy, the development comprises the construction of an 18-storey building, with retail and commercial tenancies within the precinct. The significant build will include 354 modern rooms, communal and shared spaces, three retail spaces and basement parking for 16 cars, 100 motorcycles and 96 bicycles.

Landscaping has been integrated into portions of the design, with external works including the landscaping of communal and public areas in the retail precinct. On completion, the retail precinct will greatly improve amenities in this part of Kingsford, in line with the Council’s revitalisation of the neighbourhood.

A key component of Scape Kingsford is to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating. Taylor’s highly experienced ESD personnel will be heavily involved throughout the duration of this project to ensure this Green Star rating is achieved. You can learn more about our sustainability commitment here.

Project work commenced in May this year and is due for completion in February 2024.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings of the 20^th century, with the Concert Hall – affectionately known as the heart of the Opera House – attracting a diverse range of contemporary performers and events. Adam Vassallo joined Construction Management and Property Program students to discuss the transformational works that will bring the world-famous development into the 21^st century.

Managing the monumental Concert Hall Renewal Project is no small feat, especially when balancing the update of theatre systems and building fabric with heritage responsibilities. Overseeing the installation of new stage machinery and winch cable systems capable of lifting four times the weight of previous installations, Adam explained how the Taylor team installed 174 tonnes of new structural steel, placed 720 tonnes of concrete and laid 300 kilometres of cable to bring the design to life.

Students received unique insights into the role of an award-winning Project Manager, with Adam sharing a detailed ‘Day in the Life’ that outlined his day-to-day responsibilities and movements. Following this, Adam led a review of the Concert Hall Renewal Project’s delivery timeline and technical installations – most of which include meticulous architectural detailing.

By Ben Folkard, General Manager Refurbishments & Live Environments

At Taylor, we understand that by designing infrastructure that protects Australia’s biodiversity and endangered species, we amplify our positive impact on the environment. Construction delivery, protecting nature, and ensuring a sustainable future are intrinsically linked.

It’s not often that an entire development is factored around the protection of a single flower. In Taylor’s case, this happened recently, with a small, native, yellow-flowering plant – Hibbertia Fumana.

This species, native to New South Wales, was thought to be extinct in 2012. After being rediscovered in Moorebank in 2016, it made its way onto the critically endangered plant species list. In turn, this unique little plant changed key aspects of the build for a major development at Bankstown Airport for our client PolAir, NSW’s Police Force Aviation Command.

The facility – created to unite all of PolAir’s current resources under one roof – is comprised of a two-storey office building, hangar and maintenance facility.

Joining Estia Health St Ives’ project team, UTS student Angelique was given behind-the-scenes access to the $32 million project that will transform six local residential blocks into a 118 resident place aged care development.

Diarmuid O’Flaherty, Project Manager, David Tran, Project Engineer, Jack Geale, Design Manager and Glenn Harris, Senior Site Manager shared first-hand insights into the career paths made available by pursuing STEM degrees, exploring the complementary relationship between site experience and theoretical studies.

Connection to place and connection to people are fundamental drivers for Taylor. So too, Diversity is one of our four guiding Principles; Listen, Create, Diversity and Excel. Leading through equality, we make our business stronger through our official partnership with KARI Foundation to increase cultural awareness, connection and opportunity. Together, we can make a more just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

NAIDOC Week, 3 – 10 July, is a time to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for systemic change. This year’s theme is a challenge to all Australians to support and secure institutional collaborative and cooperative reforms. It’s also time to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations – they have been the heroes and champions of change, or equal rights and even basic human rights.

Taylor is proud to support The Property Council of Australia’s commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a call by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for real and practical change in Australia through the establishment of a Makarrata Commission, to undertake processes of treaty-making and truth-telling. Giving the Voice a constitutional guarantee through a referendum will create a shared, unifying moment in our nation’s history that we can all understand.

We look forward to working closely with Reconciliation Australia, our people and partners as we continue our important reconciliation journey. To learn more about our Reflect RAP, download our commitment here.

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! 

It was a year ago that Taylor embarked on our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Focused on meaningful outcomes, our RAP builds on Taylor’s strong legacy in achieving and exceeding Aboriginal Participation targets on our projects.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our Reconciliation Action Plan is connecting with new partners. And none have been more pivotal than the KARI Foundation. KARI is the largest Aboriginal Charity in Australia that exists to support Aboriginal people and community, particularly education, employment and connecting everyone to celebrate culture.

KARI has generously advised us on our RAP from the outset and continued to become involved with Taylor in; ceremony and engagement, cultural awareness, procurement, tender advice, and volunteering opportunities.

Taylor is proud to have developed an annual $15,000 KARI / Taylor #WomenBreakingGround Scholarship that will support high achieving female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in tertiary studies in Construction. In this first year (FY23), the scholarship will support a number of high school students and, in coming years, Taylor will continue that support through to one selected candidate’s 4 years’ of University, and a Taylor Cadetship.

Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Taylor welcomed Leslie McLeod, a Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo Custodian and loreman to lead the smoking ceremony at the Upper Australia Precinct. The cultural tradition of a smoking ceremony is undertaken to cleanse an area, protect a build site, and show our respect to Elders past and present.

On completion, the $11.6 million Upper Australia Precinct will provide zoo visitors with an innovative and immersive wildlife experience that shares Australia’s unique animals, plants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

This development includes a new Koala Exhibit, and upgrades to the existing Nocturnal House and Macropod Walkthrough. Works also comprise a new western pavilion, walkways and amenities, back-of-house and infrastructure upgrades, landscaping and demolition of the Avian Wetland Ponds as well as partial demolition of the Nocturnal House and Ropes Course.

The new development is the latest of a range of refurbishment and live environment projects Taylor has undertaken, including Taronga’s Institute of Science and Learning and the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga.

Team Taylor look forward to bringing this development to life – thank you for a reflective and rewarding morning for all involved.

Diversity is strength – by cultivating future talents through unique STEM engagement initiatives, we help accelerate the careers of emerging female leaders. 

Students enjoyed a site tour of Tara Anglican School for Girls’ new Aquatic Centre and Sports Precinct, led by Tim Christie, General Manager Construction – General Build, Fred Sedighi, Project Manager and Fara Alavi, Contract Administrator. Over the course of the day, students learnt about materials, techniques and construction methodologies used onsite, in addition to the impact of inclement weather and how Taylor’s innovative reverse-build approach mitigated potential delays.

The new development will comprise of a 25 metre eight-lane competition pool, fitness centre and tiered seating for spectators and supporters. The tiered seating will include shade structures so spectators can comfortably view netball, basketball and tennis on six newly-refurbished outdoor sports courts. The main pool will be enclosed and heated for year-round use. It is primarily designed to accommodate water polo, with a separate learn-to-swim pool, change room, shower and toilet amenities located within the facility.