Decode Group is proud to announce that our project team has been awarded the winner of the ‘Other Construction’ category at the 2025 Australian Institute of Building (AIB) Professional Excellence Awards for our work on The Switch, Kensington.
Delivered under a D&C contract in partnership with Nuveen and Norhart Developments, the project involved the construction of a four-level, 259-bed student accommodation facility tailored to enhance student living. It offers a mix of studio rooms, twin shares, and cluster accommodation, all supported by high-quality finishes and thoughtfully designed shared spaces.
Project Highlights:
- Collaborative study areas and meeting rooms
- Recreational lounges and games areas
- Gym, outdoor terrace, and BBQ facilities
- Basement car parking, communal kitchens, and laundry
Integration of two heritage-listed Victorian terraces into the new development
Rated 5 Star Green Star, the project demonstrated how heritage preservation can coexist with modern, sustainable design. The restored terraces at 10 and 12 Doncaster Avenue were carefully retained and blended into the new architectural form, creating a cohesive streetscape using white masonry and architectural face brick.
This award is a testament to the leadership, precision, and craftsmanship of our Decode team.
Overcoming Complexity with Leadership and Innovation
The Decode team took over The Switch, Kensington as a distressed project, requiring extensive rectification before new construction could even begin. Façades were stripped to their structural elements, and major planning was needed to correct poor workmanship while maintaining quality, safety, and client trust. Adding to the complexity was the delicate heritage restoration of two Victorian terraces, where creative and compliant solutions were developed such as retrofitting handrails to meet modern BCA standards without compromising original design.
Midway through the build, sustainability targets were raised to a 5 Star Green Star rating, demanding fast-tracked changes to systems, documentation, and material sourcing challenges the team met without impacting the program. Decode project team responded with swift coordination, new safety protocols, and council collaboration to maintain site operations with minimal disruption.
Through expert planning, transparent stakeholder management, and adaptive construction methods including prefabricated pods and sustainable materials, Decode turned a project in distress into an award-winning success.
