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OLSSON Architecture and Urban Projects was established in 1992 and has been at the forefront of urban design & architectural practice in Sydney for over 30 years. We are proud of having been part of Sydney’s transformation over the last three decades. During this time we have been progressing our innovative and sustainable approach to design in each new project, and we look forward to continuing on that path.
OLSSON is widely recognised for its design quality in urban design and residential architecture having gained national planning awards for its work. Our architectural expertise ranges from large scale developments in a number of sectors, down to small residential buildings with a fine detail resolution. One of the main office strengths is our capacity to tackle complex sites; we pride ourselves on our ability to translate constraints into high quality architectural outcomes.
We are always keen to expand and broaden our knowledge with new and exciting projects that will help preserve, protect, improve and serve our urban environment.
OLSSON’s architectural expertise extends from large scale developments to small residential buildings with finely detailed resolution.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN
At OLSSON we enhance design quality and standards by exploring new ways of addressing the challenges present in architecture today. From the development of double skin facades to protect, to the use of smart recycling systems to recover and reuse water or the implementation of new apartment types and layouts to improve the amenity of the residents, the office always works towards a better and more sustainable future.
HIGH QUALITY EXECUTION
We pride ourselves of the high quality execution and level of detail in all our projects. We make sure that the ideas are carried through from the initial stages, through construction and into the final product. It is very important for us that the same care, thought and passion that goes into our designs, it is translated into the final building.
OLSSON specialises in preparing urban design reports for Planning Proposals, city and town centre development control plans, masterplans and site specific urban designs. In the past 30 years, OLSSON has consulted to State Government Departments including, Property NSW, the NSW Department of Planning and more than 15 metropolitan Sydney Councils, including the City of Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, and Wollongong.
Our urban design approach is based on enhancing the public realm with cohesive built form. We aim to facilitate the creation of built forms that will complement urban spaces at a range of scales. Our place making includes identifying and facilitating appropriate land uses and the considered design of the public/private domain interface based on a ‘people first’ approach.
Our methodology for translating urban designs and masterplans into effective DCP and LEP controls ensure that each component is achievable and complementary. Our cohesive suite of design guidelines facilitate high quality built form outcomes, and create both certainty and clarity throughout the development application and approval process.
OLSSON Architecture & Urban Projects is committed to providing environmentally responsible services. At an operational level we strive to reduce resource consumption and waste through our daily decisions. These include being primarily paperless, sourcing recycled products where practical and recycling waste which we produce at the office. We encourage colleagues in our shared studio space to recycle and reduce waste where possible. Our entire team use active transport or public transport to commute to and from work.
The most significant impact of our services from an environmental perspective lies within the design process of our architectural and urban projects. Fundamentally OLSSON practice sustainable design principles in every project we work on. Design decisions from project conception ultimately inform how a building or space is used and the resources it consumes across it’s life. This process spans from considering future occupant behaviour to building performance. At a performance level we use our subscription to the Footprint Company’s Green Book to specify materials with low embodied carbon. We design multi-dwelling residential buildings following well tested solar, ventilation and energy efficient principles.
AIA / PIA
DIRECTOR
Registered Architect – 7079 (NSW)
Registered Design Practitioner – DEP0000650 (NSW)
Russell Olsson is the Director of OLSSON Architecture and Urban Projects. He is a Registered Architect (NSW), a Registered Design Practitioner (NSW D&PA 2020), and has post-graduate qualifications in architecture and urban design from Paris, France.
Specialising in urban design, urban housing and community buildings, Russell has worked on major urban design and architectural projects in Australia, France and New Zealand. He has prepared the City of Sydney LEP and DCP 1996, two plan reviews for the City of Adelaide Plan, projects for the National Capital Authority, Canberra and contributed to Sustainable Sydney 2030.
Russell was a member of the City of Sydney City Plan team which gained two national planning awards, the Royal Australian Planning Institute’s Presidents Award and the National Planning Minister’s Award.
As Director of OLSSON, Russell has seen from concept through to construction, numerous urban apartment buildings and houses which are recognised for their design quality. Russell chaired the RAIA Design Competitions Committee and has lectured at three Sydney universities. He has appeared as an expert witness at the NSW and Queensland Land and Environment Courts on 30 occasions.
As a panellist on SEPP 65 and Design Excellence Panels he has provided independent advice to Waverley, North Sydney, Parramatta, Liverpool, Fairfield, Warringah and the Inner West Councils. Russell is currently a panellist on the Parramatta Design Excellence Advisory Panel and the State Design Review Panel.
QUALIFICATIONS
CURRENT POSITIONS
With recent project experience, as well as expertise in urban design, multi-dwelling housing, construction documentation and sustainability, Russell and the OLSSON team is uniquely positioned to deliver high quality outcomes for your project. Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you require further information.