Directors

Directors

John Curran - Design Principal

B ARCH SC DIP ARCH ARB AIAA

With over 20 years of international experience, John has designed and delivered a prolific body of work in China over the past decade. As Design Principal of John Curran Architects, he focuses on realising quality projects that form the active heart of new and regenerated communities. Zhongshan city in the south of China is currently his focus for realising a 24 hour multi-use retail and entertainment store called the Transformer, and characterises the studio’s deep held belief in a projects power to transform a neighbourhood for the benefit of all.

Previously John established the Alsop studio in Shanghai in 2004, and as a co-founder and director of Spark Architects, he was responsible for the design and delivery of the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal, a 260,000 sqm Business & Entertainment District in the North Bund – recipient of Best Mixed Use Award under MIPIM 2011. More recently John was involved in the creation of a new 200,000 sqm Living and Shopping District in the centre of Fuzhou city, Vanke Plaza Fuzhou, now under construction.  Following his design and completion of the very successful Zhoushan Yepaidang restaurants in 2010, John has led the design of other projects across the Archipelago, including the regeneration of Zhoushan Sports Stadium, and Dong Gang Lakeside Recreation, all under construction.

As a published member of the AIAA – American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, John has presented peer reviewed Aerospace papers on the topics of space urbanism and the cultural celebration of space. He has also taught at the architecture studio of the University of Hong Kong, Shanghai Study Centre.

Dr Kieran Curran - Managing Director

B.Eng Ph.D.

As CEO and founder of bio-technology firm - GenCell biosystems (www.gencellbio.com), based in Ireland and the USA, Kieran brings an international business management perspective to the design studio.

Kieran also spearheads the product design side of the practices output, fast becoming a field of expertise, currently focusing on visions for next generation DNA instrumentation, serving the community in many applications, from improving public healthcare, to optimising yields in food production.

Kieran is a recognized inventor in the field of biotechnology, having developed a novel DNA analyzing technology - Composite Liquid Cells (CLC), which led to the establishment of GenCell biosystems.

As cofounder of John Curran Architects, Kieran sees opportunities for synergies between science and design, nurtured and cultivated within a family business ethos.