RMJM, the architecture firm with 25 studios on 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 and 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.
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 is how it brings new experience and focus to build on our existing sports credentials,” said Goran Nikolic, RMJM Serbia. “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.”
Pendry’s background combines project development, management, building and agronomy. Le Sueur will lead as the Principal of the business. Most recently the directors collaborated with a leading Scottish Golf Academy to provide design and construction management of at Takaro Lodge in New Zealand.
“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,” said Michael Lord, CEO of RMJM. “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.”
Founded by Sir Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall in 1956, RMJM Group has more than 1,000 architects who collectively represent 56 nationalities and speak more than 40 languages.
RMJM approaches its 60th anniversary in the UK in 2016. It is also had studios in the Middle East and the United States for more than 40 years and in Asia for more than 30 years. More recently RMJM Studios have been established in Africa and South & Central America.