Founding directors John de Manincor and Adam Russell bring professional experience, design rigour and creative prowess to DRAW.
JOHN DE MANINCOR
John de Manincor is a registered architect and Principal of DRAW in Sydney. He was the project leader for DRAW’s State Emergency Services Headquarters in Sydney’s inner west, and co-author of Bridging the Gap for “About Face” an invited research competition for Think Brick Australia (including Commendation and Peers Choice Awards), UTS ITE (with BIG) and Great Hall competitions as well as a numerous residential projects.
Previous project experience includes the award-winning redevelopment of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts [NIDA], Deutsche Bank Place (with Foster and Partners) and the Parramatta Transport Interchange as an Associate at HASSELL. John has collaborated with leading local and international architects including Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG), Realities United, Foster and Partners, John Wardle Architects and Durbach Block.
Committed to the development of the profession John has lectured at the AIA, Pekcha Kucha, Francis Greenway Society and Tokyo Arts University. John has taught professional practice and led masters design studios at UTS and UNSW. He was the Sydney Editor of Architectural Review Australia [2008-2010] and has been a contributor to Architecture Australia and Houses Magazine. John is the recipient of the Byera Hadley Traveling Scholarship through which will continue his investigations into new developments in recycled/reconstituted materials.
ADAM RUSSELL
Adam Russell is a registered Architect in NSW, Australia. He is recognised for a number of award winning works of architecture. Adam is a founding director of architectural practice DRAW, established with John de Manincor in Sydney in 2006. Adam is currently an honorary Associate of the School of Architecture UTS and has been a part-time educator, sessional design teacher, guest and critic at UTS, UNSW and USyd since 1998. Adam sits on the advisory council of Make-Space for Architecture (MS4A), a not-for-profit agency who advocate and agitate for architecture. Adam is also a contributing writer for Architecture Review Australasia and the Architecture Bulletin NSW.
As director of DRAW Adam recently led the design and construction services for the award-winning $8.5m UTS Balcony Room and Great Hall refurbishment. He also lead a team of artists and designers to deliver a series of public artwork installations on UTS construction hoardings. Adam has particular expertise in urban design and housing and has directed to DA approval mixed-use projects of up to 115 apartments in urban centres including Camperdown, Freshwater, Hurstville and Mosman.
Adam is recognised professionally in Australia and overseas through design awards on numerous projects. The SydneyCENRAL Parramatta Road Strategic Plan and DBE+W Single Child Apartment project in Japan both won international design competitions. Adam led DRAW’s Bridging The Gap submission for the 2009 Think Brick Australia national About Face Awards which took out the High Commendation Award and the Peers Choice Award. Prior to DRAW, as associate architect with Stanisic Turner, Adam led the design team for the 2003 Wilkinson Award winning Mondrian Apartments in Waterloo.
