John McAslan

Education and career

John McAslan was educated at Dunoon Grammar School, Dollar Academy and Edinburgh University, Scotland, obtaining an MA in Architecture in 1977 and a Diploma in 1978. He trained in Boston, USA, with Cambridge Seven Associates before joining Richard Rogers and Partners in 1980. He founded John McAslan + Partners in 1996, where he remains as Executive Chairman and is active in all of the practice's work.

While much of McAslan's international work focuses on new buildings, he is also well-known for his careful restoration and redevelopment of historic buildings in the UK, including iconic London landmarks such as the Roundhouse. Such work typically brings both new form and function to old structures; the 2012 western concourse at London's King's Cross station, for example, combines striking design with efficient and practical central purpose, allowing large numbers of people to move freely between platforms at the busiest times of the day.

McAslan has taught and lectured widely and is a trustee of numerous cultural bodies.

Philanthropy

In 1997 McAslan established the John McAslan Family Trust, a registered charity which provides support for arts and educational projects both in the UK and overseas. In 2008 the Trust acquired the Burgh Hall at Dunoon from a property developer for the token sum of £1, with the aim of restoring the building and creating a new community-focused centre for contemporary arts. The final phase of this project was completed in 2017.

In 2004, 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 recent years, the bursary has strengthened its focus on the role of design as an instrument for positive change, particularly in projects addressing environmental and community issues. In 2015, the Environment Agency contributed £10,000 to the bursary scheme to support projects demonstrating progress towards sustainable climate change solutions.

Honours and awards

John McAslan + Partners was named World Architect of the Year in 2009 by Building Design magazine. The practice's work has been extensively exhibited and has received more than 150 international design awards, including 25 RIBA international, national, regional and special awards.

McAslan was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours 2012, for his services to architecture. He was also appointed Honorary Consul of The Republic of Haiti (to the Court of St James's) in the United Kingdom, following the practice's work and assistance in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2016 he received an honorary doctorate 'honoris causa' from the University of Edinburgh.