Michael Lyell qualified with honours at the Architectural Association in London and commenced in practice, with Wells Coates, a modernist architect of international renown. He became a Fellow of the RIBA and was senior partner of MLA – Michael Lyell Associates – for a number of years.
Subsequently, Associated Continental Architects was formed in 1970 by Robert Ward and Michael Lyell for tourist developments in the Caribbean. These included the Mount Irvine Hotel and Golf Resort in Trinidad & Tobago; central area planning and The Intercontinental in Kingston, Jamaica; with numerous schemes in The Bahamas and Barbados, including the original Sandy Lane.
The practice expanded by opening ACA (Gulf) for major commissions in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Kuwait. During this period Michael was joined by John Knight ARIBA & Diploma Architecture and Town Planning, on the spectacular Souk, in traditional style, for the Ruler of Sharjah. John, who became a partner, led our consultancy team for a new District Centre for the Kuwait Municipality. He has also designed diplomatic embassies and residences for the Saudi Arabian government in London, Moscow and Rome.
ACA Beijing followed with Chinese partners in 2003, where significant construction and new appointments are in hand. James Williams FRIBA, FRSA & Diploma Architecture Edinburgh, who had run a successful firm specialising in medical facilities, joined us, some of whose impressive work is illustrated in this website.
The current practice, named ACA Design Group, includes a recent merger with Jonathan Dunn, whose wide experience in 25 years of private practice bring prestige, enthusiasm and initiative to our combined professional team.
We look forward with confidence to serving new and existing clients in many parts of the world.