Milestone Moment – Celebrating 40 Years of Williams Burton Leopardi

At the end of 2023, Williams Burton Leopardi (WBL) celebrated four decades of milestones while navigating the architecture and interior design realms of Adelaide. The commemoration took place through a private dinner held on the rooftop of The Darling Building. Directors David Burton and Sophia Leopardi took a moment to mark the occasion, reflecting on the past 40 years, the factors that have shaped WBL into its current form and anticipating all that lies ahead.

While the majority of the architecture and design industry seems to congregate around the more heavily populated cities of Melbourne and Sydney, WBL has stayed true to its Adelaide roots. The 40th-anniversary celebration also coincided with several other significant milestones on WBL’s timeline, highlighting the journey that has shaped the studio into what it is today. “2023 [was] a serendipitous year,” says David. “It’s 40 years since Rob Williams first put up the plaque; 30 years since I graduated and first started with what was then Rob Williams Architects; 20 years since Sophia Leopardi commenced at WBL; and it is 10 years since we purchased the Darling Building.” Each of these noteworthy moments also marked significant shifts in the chapters of WBL’s journey.

Directors David Burton and Sophia Leopardi took a moment to mark the occasion, reflecting on the past 40 years, the factors that have shaped WBL into its current form and anticipating all that lies ahead.

WBL has evolved from a purely architectural design practice into a holistic studio that encompasses architecture, interiors and styling. The belief at WBL is that every element comprises the whole – from planning gestures and selections to client interactions and the way Caroline Cameron, senior associate and interior designer, captures each project. The unique WBL approach is centred on shaping a distinct feeling in every aspect. “Taking stock of where we are at 40,” says Sophia, “I think we can embrace with confidence that we have collectively built a reputation we are proud of, and David and I are united in our mission.”

Over the past decade, as they inhabited their present studio – which they collaboratively transformed with a developer into a treasured gem – a greater spotlight has been cast on Adelaide as a design hub. This period provided the ideal opportunity to combine the studio’s passion, expertise and experience in working with heritage buildings, bringing them to life through a respectful and enduring lens. The multi-level landmark that is The Darling Building served as the venue for the 40th-anniversary celebrations, featuring an intimate dinner setting that incorporated local produce, installation artists and collaborators as a gesture of appreciation to the team. “We made a very conscious decision to keep this as an intimate affair,” says Sophia, “giving us the chance to thank you, our team, and emphasise that the next 40 years are yours to shape.”

“Taking stock of where we are at 40,” says Sophia, “I think we can embrace with confidence that we have collectively built a reputation we are proud of, and David and I are united in our mission.”

With a positive outlook for the future, the WBL directors have various initiatives in progress, which will be revealed in due course, demonstrating a sincere commitment to advancing the profession. “When the name WBL is mentioned, we are extremely proud that a holistic approach is also now a given,” says Sophia. “Our future goals are to continue to focus on being conscious of our impact, collaborating with makers and artisans and to instil beauty in all that we do.”