The Samuel Griffith Centre wins at AIQS awards

Australia’s top construction, engineering, architecture and design people and projects have been celebrated at the recent Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Infinite Value Awards in Brisbane.

In their third year, the national Infinite Value Awards have established themselves as one of the most coveted accolades in the construction industry with this year’s focus being on sustainability.

Hosted by Channel 7 News anchor, Sharyn Ghidella, the awards attracted a high calibre of nominations with winners from across the eleven categories becoming eligible for the Award’s highest honours, Professional of the Year and Project of the Year.

Director of Rider Levett Bucknall, Canberra, Fiona Doherty, took out the Professional of the Year Infinite Value Award.

Selected by the judges for her proactive approach to cost saving and efficiency which is crucial to sustainable development, Fiona said it was very humbling to be recognised by her peers for the honour.

“After 25 years in the industry, it’s wonderful to receive this accolade and be professionally awarded. I’m very proud to have risen to the position I am in and I hope that I can inspire other women in the construction industry and help promote equality across the field” said Ms Doherty.

“I would say to all young aspiring professionals, stay focused and have a plan because things will pay off if you stick to them as this award proves” added Ms Doherty.

In keeping with this year’s sustainability theme, the Infinite Value Awards Project of the Year honour was taken out by the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre constructed at Griffith University’s Nathan Campus in Brisbane.

The Sir Samuel Griffith Centre is Australia’s first building relying entirely on photovoltaic arrays and hydrogen-hydride storage technologies to generate its power and deliver a truly innovative 6 star green rating.

The Centre can remain entirely ‘off grid’, generating and storing enough energy to power all its activity from the sun, water and oxygen.

Managing Director from Donald Cant Watts Corke Queensland, Mark Mammarella, headed up the quantity surveying team behind the Centre and said it was great to see innovation and sustainability celebrated on a national scale.

“We are extremely proud of this project; it’s an Australian first, the first of its kind to be powered off the grid in Australia which is a remarkable feat. As a result it has opened the door for other projects to use the new technologies we worked with in other development areas that will really benefit from such sustainability, such as rural and remote areas”, says Mr Mammarella.

Michael Manikas, CEO of the AIQS, said he is proud of the 2014 Infinite Value Awards winners and saying that the building and construction sector is one that is constantly pushing boundaries.

“The AIQS Infinite Value awards are all about highlighting innovation in the sector and these winners really are a snapshot of the future and what is possible for the construction industry,” Mr Manikas said.

“Maintaining awards programs like the Infinite Value Awards allows the industry and public to step back and recognise the innovation, commitment and success of our peers and the projects they work on,” he said.

This year’s winners include:

Project of the Year

Sir Samuel Griffith Centre, Donald Cant Watts Corke

Professional of the Year

Fiona Doherty, Rider Levett Bucknall

Coverforce Architectural Excellence Award Perth Arena, Ralph Beattie Bosworth

Engineering Excellence

8 Chifley Square, Mirvac

Conduit Recruitment Future Leader Award Irena Kuzman, MBMpl

Government Project

Gold Coast University Hospital, Lend Lease

Innovation Project

50 Martin Place, MBMpl

Lifetime Contribution

Mike O’Shea, MBMpl

Buildsoft Quantity Surveying Advocacy

Dr Peter Smith, University of Technology Sydney

MBM Research & Teaching

Prof Craig Langston, Bond University

Wood SolutionsSustainable/ Green Project Sir Samuel Griffith Centre, Donald Cant Watts Corke

Women in Construction

Fiona Doherty, Rider Levett Bucknall