River’s Edge Wins National Award

Fairbrother has been honoured with the prestigious WoodSolutions National Sustainability in a Commercial Building Award for their UTAS River’s Edge project at the 2024 MBA National Excellence Awards, held in Hobart this past weekend.

The accolade follows Fairbrother’s recognition as Tasmanian Commercial Builder of the Year earlier this year, where the River’s Edge project took home 7 awards, reaffirming the company’s reputation as a leader in the Australian construction industry.

River’s Edge, located at the University of Tasmania’s Inveresk campus, is a shining example of innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainable design.

Through early contractor involvement (ECI) and blue-sky thinking, the Fairbrother team were able to achieve a reduction of more than 32% in embodied carbon compared with a typical construction of this size. The strategies employed to achieve this outcome included the recycling of steel gas pipe for driven piles, and a reduction in applied finishes, through to extensive use of locally sourced timber, carbon neutral bricks, and other environmentally responsible materials.

Kurt Arnold, CEO of Fairbrother, expressed immense pride in the team behind this achievement:

“Our project team appreciated the chance to push the boundaries of conventional construction methods and materials to achieve this ambitious embodied carbon goal in collaboration with UTAS. Winning this national award for River’s Edge is a true reflection of the dedication, expertise, and collaboration that defines Fairbrother.”

Designed to foster collaboration, the facility provides a dynamic learning environment that aligns with the University of Tasmania’s vision to create world-class education spaces.

Fairbrother’s success reflects not only its construction capabilities but also its commitment to partnerships. The collaborative approach with the University of Tasmania, architects, engineers, and suppliers ensured the seamless execution of this ambitious project.

The National MBA Excellence Awards celebrate Australia’s best in building and construction, highlighting projects that set new standards in quality, innovation, and sustainability. For Fairbrother, this recognition underscores the company’s ability to deliver complex, high-profile projects on a national stage.

“We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition, which serves as both a reward for our team and motivation to continue pursuing excellence in every project,” added Arnold.

Fairbrother extends its gratitude to all involved in the River’s Edge project and looks forward to continuing its legacy of delivering exceptional outcomes for all clients.