Iain Macdonald

Iain Macdonald is a Principal HKS LINE (Laboratory for Intensive Exploration) and co-founder of MIT startup Femto Energy. His design and research focus is on architecture at the interface between the digital and physical world, confronting technological inequality and climate change. His STEAM approach to design blends cutting edge engineering with the methodologies of the arts for new urban scenographies and co-existence with machines. His projects are characterized by the transformative impact of new technologies on cities and infrastructure ranging from aerocities, research environments and data centres to corporate headquarters and nuclear power complexes. His client roster includes British Land, Capital One, EDF, Equinix, Google, GE-Hitachi, Hines, Immofinanz, Lumen Technologies, Mercedes Benz, Oracle, P&G, Roche, Toshiba, Westinghouse and WPP.

He is a Research Associate, Data Centre-Nuclear Energy Nexus at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology and visiting faculty to the MEng course UCL. His masterclass at the Norman Foster Foundation, Madrid will be featured in a forthcoming ‘Energy’ publication while his ‘Re-Energizing the City ‘project is exhibited at La Biennale di Venezia 2025.

Iain served as an officer in The Parachute Regiment undertaking several operational tours.