HDR announces the appointment of Kerrie Russell as Senior Project Architect to strengthen its laboratory and research facility design capabilities. With more than 20 years of experience, Russell brings deep expertise in diverse laboratory typologies spanning health, education, defence and advanced technologies to her new role.

Russell sees modern laboratories increasingly positioned at the intersection of research, innovation and industry, with the convergence redefining how laboratories function, demanding adaptable, cross-disciplinary spaces that support evolving scientific frontiers.

“I’m thrilled to join HDR, where the depth of expertise across science, health, education, and defence projects, both locally and globally, offers an incredible platform to deliver resilient, innovative facilities. I look forward to collaborating with talented teams to create spaces that enable discovery, support researchers’ wellbeing, and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she says.

Russell’s portfolio includes major Australian research facility assets such as Macquarie University’s Physics, Astronomy, and Engineering (PAE) building, AgriBioCentre for Biosciences, University of Melbourne’s Brain Centre, University of Adelaide’s Health and Medical Sciences Faculty, and Green Chemical Futures at Monash University.

Her career has blended artistic and scientific disciplines, from studying visual arts and working in pathology laboratories to restoring motion picture film, which further honed her precision and problem-solving skills. At HDR, she will contribute to projects including the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator and other major life science initiatives in Australia and internationally.

“Kerrie’s ability to combine complex stakeholder management and technical rigour with creative design thinking makes her an exceptional leader in the laboratory design sector,” says Graeme Spencer, Education and Science Principal at HDR. “Her expertise will be invaluable in delivering facilities that advance research, foster collaboration, and support HDR’s commitment to innovation across complex scientific, research, and educational environments.”

Looking to future trends, Russell highlights the growing role of commercial laboratories in driving innovation, the potential for retrofitting lab spaces into non-traditional buildings, and the increasing convergence of defence science with agriculture and other sectors, underscoring the need for flexible, cross-disciplinary design that responds to emerging technologies and community needs.

Passionate about mentoring women in STEM, Russell believes research environments are evolving into dynamic, inclusive and creative spaces where design directly shapes discovery, innovation and societal impact.

“Research facilities are far more than buildings – they’re launchpads for discovery,” she says. “I envision spaces alive with innovation: lasers, telescopes, robotics, and breakthroughs in energy, agriculture, and medicine. These environments support the pursuit of solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.”

Russell joins HDR’s team of life sciences specialists including Amy Papas, Simone Benvenuti, Janice Nhan, Maria Cala, Eugene Fong, and Mira Ebaf.

Image: Supplied

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