RMJM inside out outside in - Lucy Andrews

RMJM Inside Out, Outside In celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of renowned architects RMJM. From an initial impulse to create spaces that work, over the ensuing decades the RMJM team has shared inspiration, ideas and skills across the world to produce a remarkable and eclectic range of projects. Founded by Sir Robert Matthew and Sir Stirrat Johnson-Marshall, RMJM gained an early reputation as one of the leading modernist practices in the 1950s and 1960s. The firm is today one of the world's largest and most respected architecture practices, passionate about design and its process, innovation, sustainability and the built environment.

Inside Out Outside In provides a unique insight into the inner workings of the practice. This book sets out the workings of RMJM from the inside out--the unique combination of personalities and cultures that it embraces; and from the outside in--exploring its client relations and current projects. Their long-standing reputation in the UK has over the last few years been bolstered by an increasing international standing, through work across Asia and the Middle East.

Inside Out Outside In looks at the full range and scale of RMJM's projects with a particular emphasis on their current work. Projects considered include:

* Early pioneering buildings such as The Czechoslovakian Embassy, New Zealand House and The Commonwealth Institute in London, The University of York and The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh

* The Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre: The 270,000 m2 development is one of the principal buildings of the 2008 Olympic Games and RMJM is currently the only British practice designing a building for the Games in China

* Northumberland Museum, Archives and Country Park: A spectacular new building type containing county archives, a museum and a gallery that combines the existing colliery with new buildings

* City Palace Tower in Moscow: : A breathtaking 46 storey twisting tower in the heart of Moscow, inspired by Rodin's kiss

* The RIBA Stirling Prize winning Scottish Parliament

The book examines the processes employed by the practice from concept to completion, and explores the influences and technologies that impact upon the company's unique perspective on architecture and development. A diversity of material, including both personal viewpoints and academic assessment, alongside plans, drawings, photographs, paintings and illustrations, provides a new way of looking at architecture, design, space and visual culture.