Icons and innovation in the spotlight

Icons and innovation in the spotlightThe finalists have been named in the 2016 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards and the 136 projects will be in the running for the coveted Development of the Year Award. The awards program, now in its 34th year, celebrates Australia’s property development and investment industries.Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison says the awards showcase the leading-edge practices of Australia’s biggest industry and the nation’s second largest employer.”Our industry generates 1.1 million jobs, and builds the prosperity and strong communities our nation needs to thrive,” Morrison says.Finalists include the ‘money box’ building at Sydney’s Martin Place, the Frank Gehry-designed Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology Sydney (pictured) and the terminal redevelopments at Brisbane and Canberra airports.Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and Library at the Dock – the nation’s first public building made from cross-laminated timber – the $200 million upgrade of the Margaret Court Arena and the conservation project at historic Port Arthur in Tasmania have also been named finalists.All projects are in the running for the industry’s most coveted prize – the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year award. Seven individuals have also been nominated for the du Chateau Chun Award for Future Leader of the Year.A new category, the Moulis Legal Award for Diversity, captures the zeitgeist by recognising organisations “making a long-term commitment to diversity within the property industry”.National award winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Sydney on Friday 3 June 2016.Download a full list of finalists.