“Building the benchmark for RFDS sites around Australia”

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) assists over 100 people every single day. This not-for-profit organisation required a critical upgrade of its Adelaide Base, which will be home to a team of pilots, doctors, nurses, administration staff, mechanics and engineers.

The RFDS needed a builder they could trust to deliver a high-spec finish on a greenfield site, adjacent to the Adelaide Airport’s main runway. Sarah was engaged to build the $14 million base. The 12,850m2 facility was designed to bring the entire operation under one roof – enough room for six aircraft’s, another nine more on the tarmac, a 2,230m2 administration office, patient transfer areas and ambulance bays. The architect specified very detailed finishes and something truly unique, so Sarah’s well-known reputation for collaboration was high on the agenda.
The level of detail was extremely high, and on completion, Adelaide Airport said that this building had set a new benchmark for all future projects in and around the Aeromedical Precinct. The RFDS also recognised the high level of detail and aims to use this project as a template for future facilities around the country.

Completion Video

       Blog Post       

Awards

  • Winner 2017 MBA Excellence in Commercial/Industrial Building $10 Million - $20 Million (National)
  • Winner 2017 MBA Excellence in Commercial/Industrial Building $10 Million - $20 Million (SA)
  • Winner 2017 MBA Excellence in Fit-Out over $5 Million (SA)
  • Winner 2017 AIB Professional Excellence in Building Awards (SA Chapter) Commercial Construction $5 Million - $25 Million
  • High Commendation 2017 AIB Professional Excellence in Building Awards (National) Commercial Construction $5 Million - $25 Million

“As the build progressed Sarah’s consciously shifted their focus from ‘construction’ to ‘development’ of the facility and our corporate partnership, taking a vested interest in ensuring that the facility would take pride of place in the aeromedical precinct of Adelaide Airport and set the benchmark standard for such operations within the aeromedical industry.  Construction may be complete, however, their dedicated interest in continuing to assist RFDS in ensuring our facility operates with innovation and their connection to our benevolent purpose remains a successful, ongoing and long-term partnership.”

Ollie Kratounis- General Manager, Business Development – RFDS

Design Challenges and Creative Solutions

Client Outcomes

Sarah Value-Add