| History | Robert Harold Dickson (born 8/4/1926) was educated at Christ Church School, Adelaide. Following World War Two he studied architecture at the South Australian School of Mines and Industries, graduating in 1953. While still a student he built his own house at Wandilla Drive, Rostrevor, which was featured in the Royal Institute of British Architects Exhibition of Australian Architecture, 1956. During and immediately following his studies (1948–55) he was articled to Claridge, Hassell and McConnell where he was deeply influenced by Modernist architect Jack McConnell. In 1955 he worked for Mangiarotti and Morasutti architects in Milan, Italy, an important influence on his future work and his love of things Italian. He then travelled to London and worked for Fry, Drew, Drake and Lasdun architects.
On returning to Adelaide Dickson began his own practice and in 1958 joined with Newell Platten; Dickson and Platten continued until Platten joined the SA Housing Trust in 1973. The practice was renamed Robert Dickson and Associates, in 1990 becoming Robert Dickson Architects. In 1956 Robert Dickson and Brian Claridge instigated an exhibition in conjunction with the Sixth Australian Architectural Convention that was staged by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) in Adelaide’s Botanic Park. It was designed to show architecture by means of models and actual buildings and hence stimulate interest in the latest developments in architecture.
The Arkaba restaurant at Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton (1963) and subsequent hotel was Dickson and Platten’s first large-scale commercial project. It won the RAIA SA Chapter Award of Merit and is known for its ‘intimate planning and straight forward use of natural materials’. The practice designed golf clubs at Mt Lofty (1968), Blackwood (1970) and Regency Park (1978), the Youth Camp for the National Fitness Council at Mylor (1969), and the Whyalla Recreation Centre.
Educational building complexes were a significant component of the firm’s work and Kathleen Lumley College, a residential college for university students, won the 1969 RAIA (SA Chapter) Award of Merit. One of the most significant buildings, however, is the Adelaide University Union complex, a five-level red brick and concrete building with exposed brickwork and timber detailing that was built in stages between 1967 and 1975. It received an Award of Merit from the RAIA in 1974 and a Civic Trust Award in 1975. Office buildings by the practice include its own offices at Mackinnon Parade, North Adelaide (1966), the Associated Securities Offices, Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, which received an RAIA (SA Chapter) 1972 citation, and the Salisbury Civic Centre, which received the RAIA (SA Chapter) 1976 Award of Merit. The Hope Valley Water Filtration Plant (1976) received the RAIA (SA Chapter) 1980 Award of Merit.
On graduation Dickson became an Associate of the RAIA (SA Chapter) and was made a Fellow in 1970; from 1978 to 1980 he was President and in 1981 was made a Life Fellow; in 1996 he became a Privileged Life Fellow. After receiving numerous awards for his architectural works, the RAIA (SA Chapter) awarded him the President’s Medal in 2000. In 1957 he wrote feature articles on architecture for the Advertiser and later a regular column in the News and also tutored at the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning; he then became a Research Scholar in the Faculty. He was a Forestry Board Member and Adviser for the Woods and Forests Department from 1978 to 1984. His concern with the built environment was reflected through his role as President of the Civic Trust of South Australia from 1978 to 1980.
Dickson was one of the most significant practitioners of modern architecture in Adelaide. His work displays a sensitive relationship to site, intuitive use of materials and care about design and craftsmanship. Robert Dickson passed away in 2014. |