International architects RMJM is launching a new global sports design studio and has appointed a key designer of the Beijing Olympics ‘Watercube’ and former consultant to the Doha 2006 Asian Games, John Pauline, as its Design Principal.
RMJM, which designed the Convention Centre at the recent Beijing Olympics to host the biggest media centre in Olympic history and helped win the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bid, is aiming to build upon its recent success for its sport-related work with the launch of ‘RMJM Sport’. The new studio will be headed up by Pauline who is one of the world’s most experienced designers of sporting venues, having worked on projects at four Olympic Games.
In addition to being a key designer of the 2008 Olympic National Aquatic Centre (known as the Watercube) and Athletes Village at Beijing, Pauline also acted as a competition venue planning specialist to the Beijing Organising Committee. He has particular expertise in sports planning, event architecture and large multi-use master planning projects, although he has also worked on international residential and commercial projects and sizable cultural projects including theatres, libraries, schools and galleries.
“With an increasing number of high profile international sporting events flocking towards the GCC region, RMJM’s global design studio will be an essential offering to the region ensuring that the quality, technology and expertise is at the highest level for an industry that will leverage the GCC region when in the spotlight of the global stage.
The ambition and leadership shown by the GCC to build world class sporting venues is unparalleled across the world. The climate, geographical location, and enthusiastic fans all points towards the GCC emerging as a leading sporting region.’ said John Pauline
As a result of his experience working on projects and in an advisory capacity at the Olympics in Beijing, Sydney, Athens and London, his services have already been called upon in his new role with RMJM. In the first week of his appointment at a conference in Moscow, he presented his experience to Mr.Beresnitskiy, Head of the Tender Department at Olympstroy, the company responsible for the construction of Olympic facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. At the conference Mr. Beresnitskiy spoke about the possibilities of taking part in Olympstroy’s tender procedures. Pauline - who has lived and worked in the USA, China, Japan, Qatar, Indonesia, Europe and Australia - will be based in RMJM’s Hong Kong office, although he will lead sports-related projects around the world. Over the coming weeks, he will be identifying his team-members who will be based in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the USA.
His work in Qatar involved expert consultancy work for the Doha 2006 Asian Games. During his time in the region he also worked on the operational sports design for 4 of Qatar’s central sports venues.
The creation of RMJM Sport is the latest studio offering from the company which has been restructuring its business in recent months to create ‘global studios’ in growth areas, particularly those which are funded from the public purse. Its other global studios focus on healthcare, education and transport infrastructure.
RMJM Chief Executive, Peter Morrison, believes that success in winning ambitious large scale and challenging projects lies in increased globalisation of the business, drawing upon international resources in terms of harnessing design skills within the company and sharing business contacts. On the creation of his most recent global studio, he said:
“We have built a strong reputation in designing sporting venues and we are now looking to take this to the next level by establishing RMJM Sport, led by John who is a leading authority in this area. His vast experience and specialist knowledge, not only in designing sporting venues but also in coordinating multiple stakeholders and consultants, will bring added value to our clients.”
John Pauline said: “No matter what the sector, RMJM seems to be enjoying huge success in winning some of the largest international projects, from the tallest tower in Europe to the world’s largest media centre at the Beijing Olympics. I am therefore very excited to be working with teams throughout RMJM’s network of offices to focus on winning significant sporting projects, with the common purpose of designing buildings which will inspire and encourage users for many generations.”
