In an unusual move in the current business climate, Stewart McColl, founder of the second largest architecture firm in the UK, SMC Group Plc, has announced that he and business partner Alister Robinson have founded new architecture practise, ROBINSON McCOLL.

The pair developed a professional relationship during a chance business encounter in 2008 and now embark on their collaboration with the mixed-use development Prince’s Club in Morocco. Functioning as lead consultant and architect for the project, they will oversee the design of a 140-bed 5-star hotel, spa, members club and 280 apartments constructed in anticipation of becoming the premier rackets club in the world.

Robinson and McColl plan to expand the company substantially once markets improve with the acquisition of other architecture and design businesses. In the mean time they will concentrate on an organic growth process by outsourcing to existing contacts from their individual experiences.