John McAslan

John McAslan
CBE FRSA FRIAS RSA FICE FRSE FAIA FRICS
Born
John Renwick McAslan

(1954-02-16) 16 February 1954
Glasgow, Scotland
EducationDunoon Grammar School
Dollar Academy
University of Edinburgh
OccupationArchitect
PracticeJohn McAslan + Partners

John Renwick McAslan (born 16 February 1954)[1] is a British architect.

Early life and education

King's Cross Station, Western concourse

Born in Glasgow, John McAslan was educated at Dunoon Grammar School, Dollar Academy and the University of Edinburgh.[2] He trained in Boston, USA, with Cambridge Seven Associates[3] before joining Richard Rogers and Partners.[4]

Career

McAslan founded John McAslan + Partners in 1993, and the practice has studios worldwide: London, Edinburgh, Sydney and New York City.[5]

John McAslan's early career working with hi-tech architects manifests itself in the studio's process-led approach to design and an "expertise in blending historical reverence with modern architectural practice".[6]

The practice also undertakes humanitarian work in Rwanda,[7] India,[8] Haiti and Malawi and in the UK.

Succession plans were announced in 2024, handing the ownership of the practice to the senior team with McAslan staying on as Executive Chair.[9]

Philanthropy

In 1997 McAslan and his wife Dava Sagenkahn established the John McAslan Family Trust,[10][11] a registered charity which provides support for arts and educational projects both in the UK and overseas.[4]

In 2004, John McAslan + Partners, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) jointly established a new bursary to recognise and support innovative design projects.[12]

In 2019 John McAslan + Partners and the American Institute of Architects jointly launched the McAslan Architecture Travel Fellowship[13]

Haiti

The John McAslan Family Trust first supported students and graduates to carry out small school and community projects in Haiti. In the aftermath of the devastating 2010 Haiti Earthquake, John McAslan and Partners took on the restoration of the historic Marche en Fer. One year after the earthquake it reopened for trade, becoming the first large scale building to be restored in the city.

In 2010 John McAslan and Partners was appointed by the Haitian Government to contribute to the rebuilding in Haiti as part of the international response. In 2011 the ‘Building Back Better Communities in Haiti’ Housing Expo was launched in showing modular designs for 60 house types and community buildings that could be used to help rebuild communities and homes in Haiti.[3][14]

During this work, the World Monuments Fund and the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic and Haiti engaged the practice to study the traditional Gingerbread Houses of Haiti. Maison Gauthier – home of the Haitian dancer and choreographer – was used as a case study. The house was documented as typical of its sort, and structurally stabilised as part of the project, using a grant from the UK Government's Ambassadors Fund.[15]

McAslan was named in 2012–2013 as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Haiti in London.[16]

Notable projects

The Roundhouse, London

The Roundhouse, London (2006)

The Grade II listed, former steam engine, turntable became used in the 1960s and 70s as a music and theatre venue.

The 2006 renovation restored and upgraded the building as a contemporary auditorium, with studios and community learning facilities in the basement, and a "glassy" three-storey wing added to house the box office, bar and café, an art gallery foyer and offices.[17]

Iron Market, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2011)

Iron Market, Haiti

Work to rebuild and restore the Iron Market in Port-au-Prince was part the international earthquake response following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Restoring and upgrading the market to current seismic requirements, it reopened a year after the earthquake.[18]

King's Cross Station, London (2012)

King's Cross Station, London

Reaching 20 metres above ground level, the treelike diagrid roof – engineered byArup – integrates with the historic station buildings, to shelter a redeveloped 150 metre long concourse. The addition stands independently of the historic station structure and is fully reversible. The concourse changed how it connected to the London Underground, as well as making space for retail and ticket offices.

The station redevelopment was completed in time for the 2012 London Olympics. It was the first move in theKings Cross Masterplan that has completely transformed the area.[19][20]

Jumaa Mosque

Jumaa Mosque, Doha (2015)

Within the new Msheireb Heritage Quarter of Historic Doha, the mosque takes the form of a white cube, with accompanying 25.2m minaret. It is inspired by classical Islamic architechtecture and adheres closely to "Islamic principles – light, water, pattern, entry and procession",[21] filtered through a modernist lens. The building is the first LEED Gold certificated stand alone mosque.[22][23]

The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection, Glasgow, (2022)

Restoration and modernisation of the Category A-Listed Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

The modernist building, by Barry Gasson, was repaired and its energy efficiency improved, as well as the interior reordered for it to be able to display more of the Museum collection and welcome a larger and more diverse group of visitors. A new atrium opened up in the centre of the buildings, which was described by the RIAS judges as "considered, delightful and dynamic"[24] and went on to win the Art Fund Museum of the Year Prize in 2023.[25]

Bond Street Station, Elizabeth Line

Elizabeth Line Bond Street station (2022)

Bond Street station contains two ground level ticket halls, at either end of two deep east–west platforms at Hanover Square and Davies Street. The two spacious, colonnaded stations reflect the Georgian and Edwardian architectural styles and materials of their neighbouring buildings, with high ceilings, and natural materials. The station is one of the busiest on the Elizabeth line, connecting to London's Mayfair district.[26] The Elizabeth Line - including Bond Street Station - won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2024.[27]

Grand Central Station, Belfast (2023)

Belfast's multi-modal transport hub replaced the former city centre bus and railway stations to support a 50% increase in capacity. It is made of glass and steel, and includes a large concourse and public square. Architects Journal states that it was created to "help knit together neighbourhoods once fractured along political, religious and social lines." It was designed with Arup Group and Juno.[28][29]

Sydney Metro, Central Station, Sydney

Sydney Metro, Central Station, (2023)

The expansion of the city's metro network, including two new City Line metro platforms under Central Station was the catalyst to an upgrade of the historic station. The new north concourse, described as "a spectacular new public space"[30] by Wallpaper magazine, are over-sailed by a 50m-span vaulted roof. An estimated 450,000 passengers use the station daily. The designs were a collaboration with Woods Bagot.[31]

Waterloo Station, Sydney

Waterloo Station, Sydney Metro (2024)

Waterloo Station was a new addition to the Sydney Metro and occupies an entire city block. Within the station, collaborations with local artists aim to incorporate the area's Indigenous identity into the station's design, which is highlighted through architectural details, decorative elements and artworks by indigenous artist Nicole Monks within the station.[32][33]

BM_ARC, The British Museum Archaeological Research Collection, Reading (2024)

The collections and research facility for the British Museum houses 1.3m archaeology collection items previously stored in Blythe House. Run in partnership with Reading University, one of the stated aims of moving the collections to Reading was to make them more accessible to researchers and the public.[34]

Sloane Street, London

Sloane Street Masterplan (2025)

The masterplan for Chelsea's 1 km long luxury shopping street shifted the priority from vehicle to pedestrian, with wider pavements, lighting and new street furniture as well as a planting scheme overseen by Chelsea Flower Show award winner Andy Sturgeon that aims to turn it into a "tree lined boulevard".

Global Leadership Centre, University of Oxford (2026)

Funded by Wafïc Saïd, the Global Leadership Centre in the Saïd Business School repurposes a Victorian power station to create what the University of Oxford describes as a "physical and digital hub for leaders which will be a dynamic environment in which to design powerful new leadership models for the 21st Century".[35] The retrofitted building is set to house teaching facilities, a 120-bed residential wing, and an ‘agora’, in the former turbine hall. It is due to complete in 2026.[36][37][14]

Honours and awards

John McAslan & Partners was named World Architect of the Year in 2009 by Building Design magazine.[38]

McAslan was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours 2012, for his services to architecture.[39] In 2014, he was appointed Regent to the University of Edinburgh,[40] and was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor honoris causa in 2015.[41] In 2019 McAslan was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[42]

References

  1. ↑ "Weekend Birthdays", The Guardian, p. 49, 15 February 2014
  2. ↑ "John McAslan". University of Edinburgh – Alumni Services. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 McMeeken, Roxane (13 August 2010). "John McAslan: Our man in Haiti | Magazine Features". Building. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  4. 1 2 "The Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award – The Summit – Speakers – John McAslan CBE". Pmawardsummit.com. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ "John Renwick McAslan". cbetta.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "John McAslan and Colin Bennie on the excitement of transport architecture projects at John McAslan + Partners". archello.com. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Lest we forget the kigali genocide memorial". emap. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Compassion for the Kabaris,". e-architect. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Lowe, Tom (26 June 2024). "McAslan begins succession plan as practice announces soaring turnover and profits". Building Design. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  10. ↑ Sokol, David (16 May 2016). "Continuing education Give back". Architectural Record. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "John McAslan Family Trust – About Us". Mcaslan-family-trust.com. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "RIBA ICE McAslan Bursary". architecture.com. RIBA. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Architects Foundation/McAslan Fesllowship". ArchitectsFoundation.org.|publisher=AIA|accessdate=19 March 2019
  14. 1 2 McAslan, John (4 February 2010). "Haiti must be reassembled in a way that gives its people hope for the future". emap. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Architects Foundation/Mcaslan Fellowship Summer 2019" (PDF). ArchitectsFoundation.org.|publisher=AF|accessdate=29 July 2026
  16. ↑ "Royal Scottish Academy John McAslan". www.royalscottishacademy.org/.|publisher=RSA|accessdate=29 July 2026
  17. ↑ Rose, Steve (29 May 2016). "What goes around ..." The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  18. ↑ Ryan, Raymund (28 April 2011). "The Rebirth of Part -au-Prince's historic Iron Market". Emap. The Architectural Review. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  19. ↑ Moore, Rowan (18 March 2012). "London King's Cross concourse – review". The Guardian. The Observer. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  20. ↑ "john mcaslan + partners: king's cross station in london". Design Boom. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  21. ↑ Mirincheva, Velina (5 April 2016). "'John McAslan and Partners' Jumaa Mosque imparts a cultural authenticity'". EMAP. The Architectural Review. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  22. ↑ "Msheireb Jumaa Mosque". Qatar living. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  23. ↑ Mirincheva, Velina (5 April 2016). "John McAslan and Partners' Jumaa Mosque imparts a cultural authenticity'". EMAP. The Architectural Review. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  24. ↑ RIAS Jury (3 June 2024). "The Burrell Collection, Glasgow". RIBA. RIBA Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  25. ↑ "Art Fund Museum of the Year". Burrell Collection. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  26. ↑ Wilson, Rob (26 October 2022). "John McAslan + Partners-designed Elizabeth Line Bond St station finally opens". EMAP. Architects Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  27. ↑ "RIBA Stirling Prize 2024". architecture.com. RIBA. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  28. ↑ McConnell, Rebecca Jane (25 November 2024). "McAslan's Grand Central Station provides gateway into Belfast". EMAP. Architects Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  29. ↑ Lowe, Tom (16 October 2024). "McAslan's £200m Belfast Grand Central station opens for passenger services". Assemble Media Group. Building Design. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  30. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (2 August 2024). "At the heart of Sydney Metro's expanded Central Station lies a spectacular new public space". Wallpaper*. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  31. ↑ Nimmo, Andrew (March 2023). "Sydney Metro Upgrade of Central Station by Woods Bagot and John McAslan and Partners". Architecture Australia. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  32. ↑ Charles, Starr (20 August 2024). "Stations by John McAslan + Partners and Woods Bagot revealed on Sydney Metro". Dezeen. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  33. ↑ Farrelly, Elizabeth (29 October 2024). "Pride of place: Sydney's new metro stations". RIBA. RIBA Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  34. ↑ Harris, Gareth (6 June 2024). "British Museum opens new storage and research facility". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  35. ↑ "Global Leadership Centre University of Oxford". Said Business School, Oxford. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  36. ↑ "Employing state-of-the-art sustainable technologies and Passivhaus principles, John McAslan + Partners is transforming a former power station into an 'agora' of 'marketplaces,' paving the way for new visions in world-class educational facilities". Global Design News. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  37. ↑ Jessel, Ella (11 June 2019). "John McAslan + Partners' £60m power station revamp in Oxford approved". EMAP. Architects Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  38. ↑ "World Architect of the Year – John McAslan & Partners | Competitions | Building Design". Bdonline.co.uk. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  39. ↑ "No. 60009". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 31 December 2011. p. 7.
  40. ↑ "University Regents". The University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  41. ↑ "Honorary Graduates 2015/16". The University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  42. ↑ "Mr John McAslan CBE FRSE". The Royal Society of Edinburgh. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
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