This year marks a remarkable milestone for Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB): 75 years of shaping the built environment in Australia. Since its founding in 1949 as Rider Hunt and Partners in Melbourne, RLB has grown into a trusted partner for some of the nation’s most transformative projects, helping to define the cities and communities we call home.
Over the decades, our expertise has left an indelible mark on the Australian landscape, from cultural landmarks to world-class sporting venues and pioneering infrastructure. As we reflect on this milestone, we celebrate the people and projects that have defined our journey. Each one tells a story of bold ideas, meticulous planning, and enduring impact.
Australian Capital Territory: Australian National University – laying foundations for the future
RLB’s story in Australia began in Canberra with the Australian National University (ANU). In 1949, the firm was entrusted with cost management for ANU’s first facilities, laying the groundwork for a national centre of academic excellence.
In 2020, Canberra’s most severe hailstorm caused extensive damage to over 120 ANU buildings, and RLB was called upon once again. From heritage-listed sites like Old Canberra House to modern facilities, RLB provided expertise to ensure timely remediation, preserving the university’s legacy while restoring critical infrastructure.
“ANU’s growth reflects our own history – pioneering projects with enduring value,” said RLB Director Fiona Doherty. “It’s an honour to have been part of its evolution over the decades.”
Ben Chifley, Prime Minister of Australia, accompanied by Professor Brian B Lewis, Professor of Architecture, University of Melbourne and ANU Architect, laying the foundation stone of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University.
New South Wales: Sydney Opera House – A symbol of ingenuity
Few structures embody Australia’s creativity and ambition like the Sydney Opera House. Rider Hunt’s Sydney office, led by Stanley Jones in the 1950s, played a key role in delivering this internationally renowned architectural masterpiece, cementing the firm’s reputation for tackling challenging, high-profile developments.
RLB’s commitment to the Sydney Opera House continues to this day, with projects that continue to enhance the building’s functionality, safety and experience for eight million annual visitors.
To mark RLB’s 75th anniversary, the firm donated historic documentation of the Opera House’s original construction to the Sydney Opera House Trust. These records, prepared by Stanley Jones, include cost estimates, drawings, and tender submissions, providing future generations with invaluable insights into its creation.
“The Sydney Opera House represents the pinnacle of design and ingenuity,” said RLB New South Wales Managing Director Stephen Mee. “Returning these documents is our way of honouring this extraordinary collaboration and supporting its continued stewardship.”
Queensland: James Cook University – Engineering for the future
The Engineering & Innovation Place at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville exemplifies RLB’s ability to support cutting-edge research and education. This project transformed abstract plans into a vibrant, future-focused facility for learning.
“When RLB began early costings for Engineering & Innovation Place, it was circles on a plan. That’s when our years of experience and creativity come in – to transform abstract concepts into a costed budget and, eventually, concrete reality. The result is a spectacular building and a brilliant place for students,” said Chris Marais, Director at RLB.
This $100 million, four-story, 9,400-square-meter building is a hub for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning, with 23 lab spaces, garage innovation areas, multi-modal studios, workshops, and conference rooms. Its innovative design includes a parasol roof of folded wooden panels, locally manufactured glulam timber resistant to cyclones, and a climate-control system that contributed to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating.
Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs called the building “a focal point for innovation” and “a next generation learning environment” designed to push boundaries.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, supply chain disruption, and escalating costs, RLB delivered this transformative project on time and within budget. “Flexibility and durability are among the most valuable attributes of education buildings,” added Marais. “But as digital technologies radically reshape the way students learn, buildings must be more than spaces to study – they must be spaces that inspire.”
Victoria: Melbourne Park Precinct – Redefining a city’s identity
For two weeks each January, the eyes of the world turn to Melbourne Park as Rod Laver Arena hosts the Australian Open, one of tennis’ four Grand Slams. For the rest of the year, the precinct serves as a hub for world-class events, live entertainment and community gatherings. RLB played a pivotal role in the decade-long, $972 million redevelopment that reimagined one of the world’s premier sporting and entertainment precincts.
RLB’s involvement dates back to the construction of the original Rod Laver Arena in 1988. With a rich history of collaboration with the Victorian Government, RLB was entrusted with cost management for this three-stage redevelopment, which began with the masterplan in 2010.
“This project wasn’t just about improving infrastructure – it was about delivering a precinct that meets the dreams and aspirations of all stakeholders while staying on time and within budget,” said RLB Victoria Managing Director Tony Moleta.
The redevelopment included the construction of the National Tennis Centre, refurbishment of the Margaret Court Arena, and creation of the Tanderrum Bridge, a new gateway to the precinct. The final stage, completed in 2022, delivered a 5,000-seat multipurpose Show Court Arena and Centrepiece, a conference and events venue.
Rod Laver Arena underwent its first major upgrade since 1988, with improvements like a retractable roof that opens in under five minutes, expanded food and beverage facilities, and a reconfigured loading dock capable of accommodating 30 semitrailers. “This overhaul ensures the arena remains a world-class venue capable of hosting the biggest stars and most extravagant events,” added Moleta.
The result is a precinct that serves more than 2.5 million fans annually and hosts over 400 events a year. “Melbourne Park is more than a sporting venue – it’s an iconic destination that embodies the city’s vibrant cultural legacy,” Moleta concluded.
South Australia: Adelaide Oval – Where heritage meets ambition
Adelaide Oval has long been a cultural icon of South Australia, seamlessly blending tradition and modernity. Over two decades, RLB has partnered with the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority on numerous transformative projects, cementing a trusted relationship that continues to evolve.
Major milestones include the 2001 redevelopment of the Eastern Grandstand, which included an extra 5,000 seats to prepare the Oval for international events like the 2005 Rugby World Cup. In 2009, the Western Grandstand underwent a $116 million upgrade, delivering a striking new members pavilion with a diagrid roof structure and an even better experience for spectators.
The $525 million Adelaide Oval redevelopment in 2014 was a turning point, transforming the venue into a state-of-the-art hub for cricket and football while preserving its cherished heritage features such as the century-old scoreboard and Moreton Bay fig trees. RLB’s innovative cost management and collaborative approach ensured the project was delivered under budget and ahead of schedule, earning the 2015 Property Council of Australia State Development of the Year Award.
In 2020, RLB’s involvement expanded to Australia’s first stadium-integrated hotel. Built on elevated pods along the eastern façade, the Oval Hotel seamlessly integrates with the stadium’s architecture, offering visitors a world-class destination that respects the parklands and iconic surroundings.
“Our history at Adelaide Oval reflects the power of partnership,” said RLB South Australia Managing Director John Drillis. “Each project honours the venue’s heritage while embracing its future.”
Northern Territory: Darwin Waterfront – Transforming a city
Once an industrial wasteland, Darwin Waterfront is now a vibrant precinct that boasts world-class facilities, lush parklands and safe swimming areas. RLB played a critical role in transforming this 25-hectare site into a bustling hub for tourism, leisure and community activity.
Daniel Jones, Director at RLB, reflected: “We are proud of our positive contribution to the Darwin Waterfront. By bringing this vast and visionary project on time and within budget, we helped to strengthen the city’s social infrastructure and created world-class facilities that everyone in the community can enjoy.”
The centrepiece of the development is a 4,000-square-metre Wave Lagoon with ten wave patterns, offering a safe, stinger-free swimming experience. The precinct also features a convention centre, commercial and retail spaces, residences, and a striking 800-metre breakwater wall that protects the lagoon from Darwin Harbour’s rough seas.
RLB’s involvement spanned two decades, from the initial cost planning to overseeing construction progress and final certification. Today, Darwin Waterfront is a destination for more than 1.5 million visitors annually and a blueprint for urban revitalisation.
Western Australia: Square Kilometre Array – Unravelling the universe
On the ancestral lands of the Wajarri Yamaji people, 800 kilometres north of Perth, the $3 billion Square Kilometre Array Telescope (SKA) is taking shape. This ambitious project will feature 131,072 antennas at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, offering humanity unprecedented access to the universe’s mysteries.
Since 2012, RLB has provided cost and commercial advice for this international collaboration, including roads, power reticulation, and ground plane mesh across a 40-kilometre radius. Mark Bendotti, RLB Western Australia Managing Director, noted, “The scale, size, and ambition of the SKA are extraordinary. We are proud to help bring this first-of-its-kind project to life.”
Designed to minimise its environmental footprint, the facility reflects respect for Country while overcoming the challenges of remote construction. Once operational, the SKA will be 50 times more sensitive than any current instrument, revolutionising our understanding of the universe.
Celebrating a remarkable legacy
Reflecting on RLB’s journey, Global Board Chair Peter Tulla shared: “Our history is defined by the trust of our clients and the talent of our people. From ANU to the Sydney Opera House, from James Cook University to Darwin Waterfront, RLB has consistently delivered projects that shape cities, inspire communities and leave lasting legacies.”
As RLB celebrates 75 years of progress, the firm looks forward to continuing its journey, delivering transformative projects and fostering partnerships that make a difference. Here’s to the next chapter in RLB’s extraordinary story.
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