Rice Daubney and Woods Bagot have announced that they will tackle masterplanning, architecture and interior design services for Defence projects set to cost over $100 million, together. The joint venture aims to provide a greater access to key resources such as specialist staff and technology.

Two projects have already been undertaken by the two; the Australian Defence Force's Logistic Transormational Program (DLTP 1) in New South Wales and Victoria and the Squadron Headquarters, Hangers and Synthetic Training Facility project in New South Wales and Western Australia. It is hoped that by joining forces, they will increase mutual capacity, as Defence projects are often needed to be carried out in a very short timeframe.

"When two firms of this calibre work together it is not just the client who benefits from the combined experience but there are things to be learned from one another in order to build upon our own knowledge of the defence field," said Graeme Smith, Principal, Rice Daubney recently.

Both Woods Bagot and Rice Daubney have worked in collaboration with other practices on major facilities such as in health projects, convention centres, retail projects, but this is their first foray in to the area of defence.