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Kings Cross designer quits McAslan for Gensler

Global design firm Gensler has appointed Hiro Aso as its regional head of transport and infrastructure - a newly created role.

Hiro Aso, Gensler

Aso brings to Gensler over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering regenerative transport hubs. He joins from John McAslan + Partners, where he led the award-winning transformation of London’s King’s Cross Station.

“Gensler is an utterly creative global platform with local expertise and sensitivities,” Aso said. “I look forward to combining my railway and infrastructure experience with Gensler’s planning, urban design and mixed-use capabilities, to build a hub of design excellence here in London.

“Transport interchanges have established themselves as crucial catalysts for urban development and renewal – I’m excited by the opportunity to be at the heart of this ongoing evolution and to further inform the future growth of cities and communities,” he added.

“I look forward to combining my railway and infrastructure experience with Gensler’s planning, urban design and mixed-use capabilities, to build a hub of design excellence here in London" - Hiro Aso

Aso was board director in charge of transport and infrastructure at McAslan. He supports the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as panel member of the Strategic Railway Advisory Group, promotes the UK Creative Industries and is an expert panel member for the Greater London Authority, currently supporting the London Borough of Lewisham. Aso is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, as well as the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and is senior lecturer at the College of Engineering, University of Birmingham.

“This strategic hire demonstrates Gensler’s recognition of London as a global centre of transportation excellence and allows us to leverage the very best talent to continue serving clients worldwide,” said Gensler’s regional managing principal Duncan Swinhoe.

Gensler has also hired Paul Rea, previously associate at John McAslan + Partners, as major projects leader to further build the transport and infrastructure team.

 “Aso and Rea’s expertise allows us to augment our integration of planning, urban development and infrastructure design to define the future direction of urban growth and transformation, and create holistic public spaces,” said Gensler managing director and planning & urban design leader Ian Mulcahey.

If you would like to contact Jackie Whitelaw about this, or any other story, please email jackie.whitelaw@infrastructure-intelligence.com.