RMJM launches new global studio, RMJM Sport to focus the Group’s sports experience around this growing opportunity
RMJM, the leading architecture firm with 25 studios across five continents, has announced the launch of its first sector-specific studio, RMJM Sport, to focus the Group’s sports experience around this growing opportunity, the strength of the RMJM collective and its access to the global market.
The studio will be led by Richard Le Sueur and Jonathan Pendry who combine three decades’ experience in high-profile sports projects including the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh further to a commission from Golf Design Scotland to oversee the long term development plan for this famous Scottish institution. Recent improvements have included new water features, extended tees, renovated bunkers and extensive woodland clearing, giving a modern progressive focus, and allowing the Club to maintain its place as one of the premier parkland courses in Scotland.
The studio’s initial focus will be on regions such as The Middle East, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa as this is where there is currently most interest from clients and where RMJM studios are already active or upcoming in sports related resort planning. Growth potential examples include the Russian government’s recent focus on sport, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
“What is really exciting about this development,” explains Goran Nikolic, RMJM Serbia “is how it brings new experience and focus to build on our existing sports credentials. Richard and Jonathan’s experience, the RMJM Group’s back catalogue, as well as our own at RMJM Serbia, give us the confidence to say that RMJM Sport will be delivering an unparalleled standard of expertise in sports complex and sporting landscape design. We are very much looking forward to working with the new Sport studio to build on the successful sports projects we have already achieved on our own.”
Le Sueur and Pendry’s golf experience will complement RMJM’s other sports experience. While Jonathan’s background combines project development, management, building and agronomy, Richard will lead as the Principal of the business. Most recently the Directors collaborated with a leading Scottish Golf Academy to provide design/construction management of a golf facility based on the Chinese ‘five elements’, at Takaro Lodge, New Zealand.
Michael Lord, CEO of RMJM Nairobi who has identified sport as a huge growth area in Africa and opportunity for the studio says, “following Africa’s success, and particularly that of the Kenyan athletes, at the IAAF Championships in Beijing in 2015, sport has become a major focal point in the media and new sports related projects are likely to be a significant source of opportunities for the practice in the coming months. The combination of Richard and Jonathan’s expertise means we can handle projects at all stages from development, design, to build. This will be vital for the growth of our studio in Africa and we will be working very closely with the RMJM Sport team to make the very most of this opportunity.”
More here: RMJM Sport
