Architect Mosaic merges with historic Glasgow practice

While Mosaic was established in 2003, Burnet Bell has altogether more historic roots. Founded in 1878 by Frank Burnet senior, it built a reputation for its prolific work on Glasgow’s schools, hospitals and tenement buildings.

Mosaic director Stephen Mallon, who revealed the merger had come about at the second time of asking, said Burnet Bell’s rich heritage had been a key attraction of the acquisition.

Mr Mallon, whose firm switched to bigger premises on Glasgow’s West George Street as the deal took place, said: “Although we formed in 2003 we still consider ourselves to be quite a young practice. The heritage that Burnet Bell has and had was very attractive to us, because it goes back for an awful long way. St Georges Mansions and things like that are buildings we have grown up around and know quite well as landmarks.

“It is quite a positive thing for us as a new company to have that association. And some of the clients they have got are traditional clients that go back an awful long way as well that they have retained. A lot of architecture and design is about personal relationships, and continuity of those relationships. They have a very mature client base we are very keen to try and continue.”

The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed. However it takes the combined workforce of the two firms to 20, and adds a host of famous clients to Mosaic’s roster, including the Glasgow School of Art, St Aloysius’ College and St Columbas. It will also ultimately provide an exit for Burnet Bell managing partner Ian Macrae. He continues to play a prominent role with the merged practice but plans to retire in the coming years. Prior to the Mosaic tie-up Mr Macrae had not established a succession plan.

Mr Mallon said: “The message we want to get out is that it is very much business as usual. Ian is still working here. He is a key member of the team but eventually the plan is for him disappear. He is only 61, so he is not quite at the age where is ready to hang up his quill and pen! He will be key for us in the ongoing period to ensure we get that continuity with existing clients.”

Mr Mallon said the Burnet Bell have integrated smoothly into the Mosaic team, and pointed to a busy in-tray at the enlarged practice. It is currently working on a new campus for the University of Scotland in Lanarkshire, developing a new nursery for Glasgow Academy in Newlands, and is undertaking other work on retail and student residences. It is engaged in work for the RAC Club in London.

Meanwhile, its recently-completed projects include a new sports hall at St Aloysius College in Glasgow, next to the Mackintosh building at the School of Art, which was ready in time for the start of the new school term. It also recently signed off on a development at St Georges Mansions at the top of Buchanan Street.

Mr Mallon said the firm’s workload is “busy” and “diverse”, adding that it has seen no ill-effects from the ongoing political uncertainty relating to Brexit. “I would have to say that, at the moment, everything is very positive,” he said. “We clearly did have some [uncertainty] in the run up to the referendum [on Scottish independence in 2014]… and there were some jitters post-Brexit [vote]. But I’ve got to say after a few months of a few people saying “what’s going on?” it has steamed ahead. We are as busy as ever, to be honest.”

And he refused to rule out making further acquisitions. “It is something we definitely would look at,” Mr Mallon noted. “We are ambitious as a company, we still have a lot of things we want to achieve in our careers and I think acquisition is quite a good way of doing that.”

Mr Macrae said: “This merger marks a positive step forward for both companies, providing continuity for Burnet Bell staff and clients while protecting and strengthening the ongoing business of one of Glasgow’s oldest architectural practices.”