Charles Sturt University (CSU) buildings at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga have been honoured at the NSW Master Builders Association Excellence in Construction Awards for 2009.

Amid tough competition from the commercial building sector across NSW, student accommodation, academic offices and a new dentistry and oral health therapy building at CSU were all named as winners at the annual Awards.

 Zauner Construction for the category of Commercial Buildings up to $10 million for the Academic Accommodation Stage 3 at CSU at Thurgoona. The judges said, “This attractive University office building has a complicated but energy efficient structure”. This is the second major award for this CSU building after it was given a six star Green Star ‘World Leader’ certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. Read more here.

Joss Construction took out the category of Tertiary Buildings between $ 10 million and $25 million for the University’s new School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. The judges said, “Internally the building is fitted out with dental simulation rooms, lecture rooms, laboratories, clinical training facilities and administration offices. This most attractive university building was completed in 12 months”.

Joss Construction took out the category of Innovation: Construction Technique/Equipment for residential accommodation for 600 students at Bathurst, Thurgoona and Wagga Wagga. The judges said, “The builder produced an innovative design to pre-cast a series of concrete pods containing the bedrooms and bathrooms. After the on site ground slabs were poured, the pods were craned into position. The installation of each 40 bed facility was completed in two days. This innovation produced considerable time savings. 

“Charles Sturt University is undertaking a major capital works program investing in excess of $300 million dollars over five years at its major campuses. The quality buildings that are reflected in these awards gives us confidence that these funds are being well spent for the ongoing benefits of teaching, learning and research,” said Mr Butt.

Read more about the 2009 MBA Excellence in Construction Awards here.