John McAlsan + Partners (JMP) is reining in the fifth birthday of their Sydney studio by continuing their benchmark of transforming the old into the new 

The Sydney office was born in April 2018 out of a collaboration with Woods Bagot to design the new Sydney Central Metro station for Lang O’Rourke. Sydney local Tony Uleman adopted the post of director for this maiden project, a position he remains in today. 

Uleman is optimistic about the studio’s future as a boutique practice that flexibly operates across four global locations – Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Belfast.

“We’re committed to building our Australian portfolio by drawing on our strength in adaptive reuse and the clever use of existing structures,” says Uleman.

Uleman attributes the practice’s appreciation for sustainable design and construction to the Scottish roots of its founder John McAslan. 

“The Scots hate waste –  and that’s deeply embedded in the way we design. JMP’s portfolio showcases four decades of giving older buildings new life and enhancing their efficiency and functionality,” says Uleman.

This design tactic is exemplified through JMP’s renowned Kings Cross station in London which imbues a heritage building with an innovative contemporary tone. The recently completed Northern Concourse at Sydney Central also speaks to this blend of the old and new, with the modern finishings contrasting against the station’s original sandstone building.

Uleman suggests Australia’s cultural sector would benefit from embracing design as a tool of  efficiency and revenue improvement. Many institutions are struggling to maintain ageing and Heritage-listed buildings.

“Our work with The Burrell Collection in Scotland is an example of museum renewal that turned an ageing building into one of the UK’s most energy-efficient, and also greatly increased gallery space and visitation,” adds Uleman. 

JMP’s art of breathing new life into ageing structures is also seen through their conversion of a steam engine turntable structure into an auditorium and a power station into an operationally zero-carbon education facility.

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Featured Image: The Northern Concourse, Sydney Central Station by John McAslan + Partners and Woods Bagot, has greatly enhanced the experience of the busy transport hub. Image: Trevor Mein