Designing and constructing an A-Grade office building fully transportable by sea would have been thought to be impossible, but ACT innovators have proved developers wrong across the globe.
The Australian Embassy Development for the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat, developed by Global Project Solutions, is the first building to hold this title and has been presented with the Procore Award for Development Innovation at the 2021 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The ACT also picked up a second award on the night with the world-class seniors’ living village in Tuggeranong, Greenway Views, taking home the KONE Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings for its sustainable transformation of former government offices into new premises.
ACT Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, Adina Cirson, said Canberra’s extensive innovation and excellence was recognised at the awards, particularly with the embassy development.
“Global Project Solutions, in collaboration with the Australian modular building industry, has achieved an incredible feat in delivering an Australian built, fully sea-transportable, modular A-Grade diplomatic office building solution,” Ms Cirson said.
“Not only is it in-factory built, stackable and easily transportable, it also meets the quality and security needs of a diplomatic mission. This solution will undoubtably be used around the world for high quality, remote location offices in the coming years.”
Greenway Views, built by FDC Construction and Fitout, is an exceptional example of adapting a former government building that’s outlived its purpose into brand-new premises, Ms Cirson said.
The previous Department of Social Services site has been significantly refurbished and transformed into a high-end retirement village and has strong sustainability credentials.
The site is home to 210 apartments within three purpose-built blocks with common area amenities, media rooms, cafes, bar, gym, beauty salon, restaurant, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, education facilities, theatre, landscaping, new roads, and playgrounds.
“This adaptive change-of-use project successfully repurposed neglected commercial buildings into world-class sustainable seniors’ living and is well deserving of this award,” Ms Cirson said.
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