project
Robertson Barracks
| Client | Department of Defence, Estate and Infrastructure Group |
| Location | Darwin, NT |
| Completion Year | 2026 |
| Sector | Defense |
| Landscape Architecture |
| Project Manager |
Dave Bennett
Director, Senior Architect
Bennett Architecture designed new Living-In Accommodation courtyards and infrastructure at Robertson Barracks, supporting 2,500 US Marines and future ADF members. The landscape promotes wellbeing through inclusive, shaded spaces for social interaction, quiet reflection, and casual sport. Durable, low-maintenance materials ensure year-round usability in the NT climate. Delivered via rigorous Defence design phases and national collaboration, this $366M project reflects our expertise in sustainable, culturally aware, and operationally efficient defence infrastructure.
Key objectives
Deliver high-quality Living-In Accommodation and supporting infrastructure to meet Defence standards and operational requirements.
Enhance daily life for base personnel through functional, attractive outdoor spaces that promote wellbeing and social interaction.
Accommodate housing for 2,500 US Marines and future ADF members, alongside a combined mess and associated facilities.
Integrate cultural consultation and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusivity and alignment with community expectations.
Achieve sustainability and climate resilience through durable materials, shade strategies, and compliance with Defence’s ESD standards.
Project Story
Bennett Architecture was engaged by the Department of Defence, Estate and Infrastructure Group to design and document new Living-In Accommodation courtyards and supporting infrastructure at Robertson Barracks in Holtze, Northern Territory. The project aims to deliver functional, attractive outdoor spaces that enhance the daily lives of base personnel while accommodating housing for 2,500 US Marines and future ADF members, alongside a combined mess and associated infrastructure upgrades.
Our landscape design applies principles of inclusion, activation, and respite, offering diverse settings for social interaction, quiet reflection, and connection with nature. Courtyards feature passive seating zones, shaded green areas, and low-key sporting courts for casual games and physical activity. These amenities promote wellbeing by encouraging social engagement and accessible fitness opportunities during downtime. Durable, low-maintenance materials and shade strategies ensure year-round usability in the Territory’s challenging climate.
The redevelopment follows Defence’s rigorous design methodology, progressing through 30% Concept, 50% Schematic, and 90% Detailed Design phases, supported by extensive cultural consultation and stakeholder engagement. Collaborative delivery has involved a nationally distributed team working seamlessly via BIM platforms and Microsoft Teams to meet program milestones despite COVID-related challenges.
With a site area of 20,000 m² and a construction value of $366 million, this project demonstrates Bennett Architecture’s capability to manage complex, large-scale defence infrastructure. Our approach integrates environmental sustainability, cultural awareness, and operational efficiency, reinforcing our reputation for delivering high-quality, future-ready facilities.
