John McAslan

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

Education and career

Born in Glasgow, John McAslan was educated at Dunoon Grammar School, Dollar Academy and the University of Edinburgh. He trained in Boston, USA, with Cambridge Seven Associates before joining Richard Rogers and Partners in 1980. He founded John McAslan + Partners in 1993, and the practice has five studios worldwide: London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Sydney and New York City. Succession plans were announced in 2024, handing the ownership of the practice to 15 directors with McAslan staying on as Executive Director.

Philanthropy

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

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.

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

Notable projects

Global Learning Centre,

University of Oxford (2025)

Funded by Wafïc Said and costing £60m, the Global Learning Centre 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''’. The retrofitted building will house teaching facilities, a 120 bed residential wing and in the former turbine hall will be an ‘agora’, promoting serendipitous meetings and collaboration. It is due to complete in 2025.

Sloane Street Masterplan (2025)

The masterplan for Chelsea’s 1km long luxury shopping street makes it more pedestrian friendly, with wider pavements, better 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’. Wallpaper* credits the success of the upgraded shopping street to its “''spaciousness, greenery, lighting and other meticulously-thought-out details, down to the warm hue of the Yorkstone that lines the street''.”

BM_ARC, The

British Museum Archaeological Research Collection, Reading (2024)

The storage and research facility for the British Museum houses 1.3m archaeology collection items previously stored in Blythe House. The buildings are the size of 2.5 football pitches and cost £64m. Run in partnership with Reading University, one of the stated aims of moving the collections to Reading is to make them more accessible to researchers and the public.

Sydney Metro, Central Station, (2023)

The expansion of the city’s metro network, including 2 new City Line metro platforms underneath Central Station was the catalyst to a major upgrade of the station. The new north concourse – ‘''a spectacular new public space''’ according to Wallpaper* magazine – are oversailed by a 50m span vaulted roof. From here, the routes between the station and metro platforms allow more space and simpler navigation for the estimated 450,000 passengers using the station daily. The designs were a collaboration with Woods Bagot.

Waterloo Station, Sydney Metro(2024)

Waterloo station is a new addition to the Sydney Metro and occupies an entire city block with four office towers above ground. Below ground, 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.

Grand Central Station, Belfast (2023)

Belfasts new multimodal transport hub replaces the former city centre bus and railway stations to support a 50% increase in capacity. Made of glass and steel, and including a large concourse and public square Architects Journal suggests that it will ‘''help knit together neighbourhoods once fractured along political, religious and social lines. It was designed with Arup Group and Juno.

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 in order 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 was described by the RIAS judges as ‘''considered, delightful and dynamic''’.

The

Elizabeth Line Bond Street station (2022)

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 traditional materials. The station is one of the busiest on the Elizabeth line, connecting to London’s Mayfair district. The Elizabeth Line won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2024.

Jumaa Mosque, Doha (2015)

Within the new Msheireb Heritage Quarter of Historic Doha. The mosque takes the form of a perfect white cube, with accompanying 25.2m minaret. It draws on classical Islamic precedents and with a ‘''close adherence to Islamic principles – light, water, pattern, entry and procession''’ (Architectural Review), filters them through a modernist lens to reveal a place of spirituality and order. It is the first LEED Gold certificated stand alone mosque.

King's Cross Station, London (2012)

20 metres above ground level, the treelike diagrid roof integrates with the historic station buildings, to shelter a redeveloped 150 meter long concourse. The concourse reframes how the station connects to its surroundings, and 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. The station redevelopment was the first move in the Kings Cross Masterplan that has completely changed the area.

Iron Market, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2010)

Work to 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. Seen as a symbol of Haiti’s independence and ambition it re-establishes the building as the heart of the Haitian capital. It was funded by Denis O’Brien of Digicel – one of the island’s largest employers.

The Roundhouse, London (2006)

The Grade II listed former steam engine turntable became used in the 1960s and 70s as an avant garde music and theatre venue. The 2006 renovation formalised its role as an international performance venue. The existing building has been restored and upgraded 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.

Honours and awards

John McAslan + Partners was named World Architect of the Year in 2009 by Building Design magazine.

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

References

External links

John McAslan + PartnersArch DailyArchelloDezeen

{{DEFAULTSORT:McAslan, John
1954 births
Living people
People educated at Dollar Academy
Architects from Glasgow
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Alumni of the University of Edinburgh