Riddel Architecture (RA) will join Conrad Gargett Architecture (CGA) practice on 26 November, 2012 to become Conrad Gargett Riddel. 

The nationally awarded practices will become a strong combined team with a broad range of expertise in contemporary design and heritage conservation.

It is the second significant merger in recent weeks, with another two of Australia’s best known architecture names, BVN and Donovan Hill, joining together to form architecture studio BVN Donovan Hill in October, 2012. 

CGA and RA have had a close relationship for many years, sharing similar values and cultures along with a rich and complementary skill set.

Queensland Children's Hospital, Conrad Gargett Lyons 

Bruce Wolfe, managing director of CGA said the joining of the two practices will enable a better, broader and deeper service, with RA offering further expertise in contemporary design, heritage and conservation consultancy, and complementary experience in education, commercial, residential and aged care projects.

 “We are very pleased to have RA on board. They are a great team and will strengthen our practice, particularly in the areas of heritage and conservation consultancy,” says Bruce.

Founder and Principal of RA, Robert Riddel said: “We are all looking forward to joining CGA and combining our expertise for the best possible project outcomes”.

Riddel will become a Principal and his fellow RA Director, David Gole, a Senior Associate of Conrad Gargett Riddel.

Both Riddel and Gole have a history of working for CGA in the early stages of their respective careers.

The Australia design firm has been working in a diverse range of sectors on projects of varying scales and complexities over the past 122 years.

 Noteworthy CGA projects include the new Queensland Children’s Hospital with Lyons (current), the National Trust of Queensland’s major award winning adaptive reuse and restoration of Old Government House, the St Stephen’s Francis Rush Centre and the State Law Building (commonly known as Gotham City).

 Old Government House, Conrad Gargett Architecture. Photographed by Graham Philips

RA has developed a national reputation over 30 years as specialists in contemporary design, heritage conservation and adaptive reuse.

 Noteworthy RA projects include the restoration and adaptive reuse of Brisbane Customs House, the nationally awarded restoration and adaptive reuse of the Former West’s Furniture Showroom and the internationally publicised Hill End Ecohouse.

 Conrad Gargett Riddel will operate from the current CGA offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Townsville.