BIOGRAPHY

 

Russell was born in Toowoomba and moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1973, educated in Toowoomba, Nambour, and Maroochydore he has achieved an Associate Diploma in Built Environment Technician – Architecture from the Queensland Institute of Technology, Brisbane. 

 

On completion of his Associate Diploma he moved back to the Sunshine Coast to work with G. A. Blackburne and Associates and gained experience in Residential, Multi Residential, and Commercial projects. In 1983 Russell moved first to Yeppoon and then Rockhampton working for Fulton, Gilmore, Trotter, and Moss. Russell’s work with the Associate Architect included projects of major renovations to The Rockhampton Commonwealth Bank, The Keppel Bay Cruising Yacht Club, The Yeppoon Golf Club, and The Barcaldine Hospital as well as various residential and multi residential projects.

 

In 1986 Russell moved to Alice Springs working for builder Lenvale PTY LTD working in 2 man teams constructing timber framed roofs to houses in the then new Larapinta estate gaining valuable building detail experience.

 

Later in 1986 Russell worked in the United Kingdom for Kenzie Lovell Architects on River Plate House a 10-storey office building with 2 dealing room floors on Finsbury Circus in The City of London. Interestingly before construction could start on site the Archaeological society occupied the site for 3 months finding Roman artefacts and a roman worker in their digs! In 1987 Russell worked for Llewelyn Davies Weeks on the refurbishment of the London Stock Exchange Tower and London Stock Exchange Restaurant fitout.

 

During this time in London Russell travelled the summer months to Europe including the British Isles, France, Germany, Italy, The Former Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Netherlands, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, The former East Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

 

In 1989 Russell started back in Australia with Down and Neylan and gained invaluable experience in all aspects of Architecture and furthered this experience with the creation of Ken Down Architects in 2000.

 

In 2007 with the merger of a medium sized Brisbane architectural practice and Ken Down Architects Core Architecture was formed. During this period Russell was to obtain invaluable school project experience and project coordination experience.

 

In 2016 Russell started with the newly formed Ken Down Architects.

 

Russell is married and has 2 daughters. He enjoys cycling, camping, and surfing.