JOE RUSSELL
Joe Russell is an architectural designer currently pursuing a MArch I Degree at Harvard University Graduate School of Design (graduating in June 2027). He previously studied at The Bartlett School of Architecture, graduating with multiple design awards.
His professional experience includes architectural positions at RSHP (The Richard Rogers Partnership), HDR, SOM, Adjaye Associates and LexisNexis. His work has been featured by Metropolis, Archinect, Archisource, Architizer, Harvard, UCL, LSE, Archdaily and Buildner, and he has lectured as a guest speaker at the London School of Economics.
Selected awards include international competition first prizes from Buildner’s Unbuilt Awards, Architizer’s A+ Awards and Archisource’s Drawing of the Year. These are alongside institutional distinctions including Harvard GSD’s Full Dean’s Merit Scholarship and the HDR Design Scholarship.
EDUCATION
Sept 2023 - May 2027
Cambridge, MA
Harvard University
Master of Architecture, MArch I
- Dean’s Full Merit Scholarship (<$200,000 merit-based scholarship)
- Studio work during first years of study have won 4 international awards and $39,500 in external cash prizes
- Professional NAAB Accredited Degree for US Licensure
Sept 2019 - May 2022
London, UK
The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
Bachelor of Science, BSc
- Winner of the Bartlett Medal (the school’s highest student honor)
- Chosen as the Bartlett’s nomination for both the Architects’ Journal Student Prize and the RIBA President’s Medal (an accomplishment only possible by the no. 1 ranked graduating student)
- Winner of the Architects’ Journal Student Prize (best student architecture project in the United Kingdom)
Sept 2012 - June 2019
Peterborough, UK
The King’s (The Cathedral) School
Secondary Education, A-Levels
- A-levels in Mathematics, Chemistry & Fine Art (A*,A*,A*)
- Henry Pearson Gates Award (Awarded for highest academic achievement in graduating cohort)
PROFESSIONAL
June - Aug 2025
New York, NY
HDR
Design Scholar
- Winner of 2025 HDR design scholarship (merit-based monetary gift for design excellence)
- Collaborated on a $500 million + hospital competition in Memphis, TN, delivering the winning submission
- Produced key renderings and drawings used in the final presentation and submission booklet
June - Aug 2024
London, UK
SOM
Summer Intern
- Assisted schematic design for a large international civic project, developing options and key drawing studies
- Coordinated with engineering, planning, and visualization teams to align inputs and maintain design intent
- Produced presentation drawings to communicate concepts and massing for internal and client reviews
Aug 2022 - July 2023
London, UK
RSHP (Richard Rogers Partnership)
Architectural Designer
- Contributed to the concept design stages of multiple high-profile developments in East and South-East Asia
- Provided architectural solutions to facade, layout and core conditions on projects valued at $100 million +
- Served as a member of the RSHP sustainability committee and supported the office’s environmental initiatives
June - Aug 2022
London, UK
LexisNexis
UX Design Intern
- Co-led the integration of the first comprehensive design system for data visualization within Lexis+ UK
- Designed scalable components and a system structure for efficient roll-out and product implementation
- Developed skills in rapid prototyping, wireframing, agile workflows and presenting to varied stakeholders
June - July 2018
London, UK
Adjaye Associates
Summer Intern
- Supported the concept design of the International Children’s Cancer Research Center (Kyebi, Ghana)
- Led the construction of a 1:500 scale physical model used for the client’s fundraising event in New York
June - July 2017
Peterborough, UK
Jefferson Sheard Architects
Summer Intern
- Conducted site analysis and contributed to the design of an affordable housing development
RECOGNITIONS
2026
Plimpton-Poorvu Design Prize Shortlist
Harvard University
- Shortlisted for the 2026 Plimpton-Poorvu Design Prize.
2026
Belle Fellowship Shortlist
Harvard University
- Harvard GSD nominee for the John Belle Fellowship.
2025
Unbuilt Award First Prize (€20,000) Winner
Buildner
- Winner of the top prize (€20,000 cash prize) in Buildner’s Unbuilt Awards 2025.
2025
Unbuilt Award Student Prize (€5,000) Winner
Buildner
- Winner of the Unbuilt Student Award 2025 (€5,000 cash prize) in addition to the main title win.
2025
Architizer Visionary 100
Architizer
- Listed as one of the 100 on the editorial directory of architectural designers, thinker and visualisers compiled by Architizer.
2025
Architizer A+ Awards Vision Best of Year Winner
Architizer
- Winner of the Best of Year Title in the Architizer A+ Awards.
2025
Architizer A+ Awards Vision for Reuse & Renovation Winner
Architizer
- Winner of the Vision in Reuse and Renovation Category in the Architizer A+ Awards.
2025
HDR Scholarship Winner
HDR
- Merit-based monetary gift awarded to two students studying architecture, engineering or related fields in the USA.
2023
Drawing of the Year First Prize Winner
Archisource
- Winner of the top prize (worth $15,000) in Drawing of the Year beating ‘thousands of entrants from 95 countries’.
2023
Dean’s Full Merit Scholarship
Harvard University
- Merit-based monetary gift in excess of $200,000. Awarded to individuals deemed by admissions to have the highest potential.
2022
Architects’ Journal Student Prize Winner
The Architects’ Journal
- Winner of best student architecture project in the United Kingdom.
2022
AJ Student Prize Nominee
The Architects’ Journal
- Nominee for best Part I ARB/RIBA design work.
2022
RIBA President’s Medal Nominee
Royal Institute of British Architects
- Nominee for best Part I ARB/RIBA (or equivalent) design work.
2022
Bartlett Medal Winner
The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
- Awarded for best design work in graduating cohort.
2019
Henry Pearson Gates Prize Winner
The King's (The Cathedral) School, Peterborough
- Awarded for highest academic achievement in graduating cohort.