His many works contributed greatly to various aspects of South Australian architecture, ranging from conservation shelters to school buildings and residential projects.
[1] Whilst he spent the majority of his life practising in South Australia, he did work for a Milan–based Italian firm, Mangiarotti and Morasutti, for less than a year.
Robert Harold Dickson, born on 8 April 1926, grew up in North Adelaide, a place he describes as a "compelling urban paradise".
Throughout his life, he was obsessed with the theory of flight and joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a realisation of that boyhood passion.
Shortly thereafter, he applied to be discharged (as was allowed for RAAF aircrew who wanted to take up tertiary training) and was flown back to Adelaide when the application was accepted.
It was based on principles that design should respond to the surrounding environment, respect human values, aspire to direct solutions to problems and integrate the parts in the simplest possible form.
[9] Dickson's work revolves around sustainable design and environmental concerns, which filters into his architecture, from construction methods and materiality to the extensive involvement with the local community.