Dezeen Wire: Will Alsop and Scott Lawrie are to leave architects RMJM and set up a new design studio in London.

Other RMJM employees will also move to the currently untitled studio, which will offer graphic and product design in addition to architecture.

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Here are some more details from RMJM:

Will Alsop To Set Up Design Studio With Scott Lawrie

Will Alsop and Scott Lawrie are to leave international architectural practice RMJM to form their own practice. The new company will retain some of the RMJM staff and will continue to be based in London.

The new practice will be formed around a design studio concept embracing architecture, masterplanning interiors, landscape, product and graphic design. An important part of the concept is Testbed, a performance space within the Battersea studio complex which provides a platform for events and debates, and which forms the hub of a creative design-led community.

RMJM chief executive Peter Morrison said: “We have been in discussion with Will and Scott for some time and all parties feel that this is the best way forward. Will and Scott have played an important role internationally for the firm and are undoubtedly architects with enormous talent and an excellent reputation.

“We are extremely grateful for their contribution to the business over the past two years and whilst I understand their desire to start something new, our intention is to continue to work together on a number of ongoing projects.”

Internationally, RMJM is continuing its strong recovery from the global downturn which has afflicted the sector over the past 2-3 years, with a current pipeline of project fees of $210m.

Significant work secured since in the turn of the year includes:

· The $1.6 billion Baha Mar Resort on New Providence Island near Nassau, Bahamas

· The $3 billion Gazprom Group headquarters and business centre at Lakhta, on the outskirts of St Petersburg

· A major mixed use development for Varyap Gap incorporating a super-tall tower in the Atasehir district of Istanbul

Mr Morrison added: “Whilst the market throughout the world continues to be challenging, our range of architectural talent within the business has underpinned a strong, ongoing growth across the group.

“Many of our clients who were forced to postpone major projects due to the global economic downturn have now restarted them and we are also feeling the significant benefits of maintaining active offices in the Middle East when large numbers of our competitors retrenched back to their home markets.

“The fact that we now boast an unbroken office presence in the Middle East for over 40 years is regularly commented upon by existing and prospective clients and those relationships are proving extremely beneficial.”

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