William Russell studied architecture at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the Royal College of Art, working in Hong Kong for commercial architects RMJM between degrees. Having graduated from the RCA, he set up practice with David Adjaye before establishing William Russell Architecture & Design in 2000. In 2005 he joined Pentagram’s London office as a partner.

His commercial clients have included Culpeper, Alexander McQueen and Margaret Howell, whilst the construction of his own residence in Bacon Street, east London has attracted critical acclaim from around the world.