ABOUT
Are an award-winning melbourne based design-intensive architecture & design practice working across:
- Architecture
- Interior Architecture & Design
- Urban Design & Master Planning
- Landscape Architecture
- Custom Furniture
- Art Based Installations
Branch Studio Architects was founded in Melbourne in 2012 by Brad Wray and Nicholas Russo.
The small team of six is interested in architecture for a diversity of people and prides itself on a hands-on approach to every project, no matter how small or large.
A similar approach is taken to nurturing staff to provide a happy and rewarding workplace. They do not take on un-paid interns as they highly value the profession.
Branch Studio Architects is not interested in popularity or trends – just good architecture speaking for itself underlined by a rich intrinsic discourse.
They have worked extremely hard over the last seven years building on foundations for the next chapter of the practice. Their first book, Proemial, was released in 2017 as a means of evaluating and consolidating a discourse moving forward as the practice expands and grows.
The practice has won a series of both local and international awards - often pushing the boundaries of just facilitating client briefs and making the most out of limited budgets.
The studio finds educational projects particularly rewarding as they have the ability to affect and expose the possibilities of design in multiple people’s lives (particularly kids), some of whom would not who some normally have the means or money to explore.
Both Wray and Russo have ancillary furniture design workshops where ideas, materials and multi-functional sustainability are tested at a one-to-one scale.
They believe in a holistic methodology for practice, where one takes on multiple roles from master planning, architecture, interior design, furniture design, and the graphic design of a project.
Heading into their eighth year of practice, they team is excited about beginning work on some much larger-scale educational projects and budgets (AUD$10-25 million) yet still are adamant about maintaining interest in the smallest of projects and their infinite possibilities.
Design Ideas Series: ARCO by BRANCH STUDIO ARCHITECTS - short talk from BRANCH STUDIO ARCHITECTS on Vimeo.
OUR PHILOSOPHY & APPROACH
-Our projects are engrained and developed from a series of ideas that enrich each individual project no matter how large or small. -It is out belief architecture is far more enriching when it has meaning and substance linking each project to site, context, culture of place & inhabitants.
-As a design focused practice. -We don`t do cookie cutter buildings. -We believe each project is unique and deserves to be treated in such a way. -Our solutions to problems or brief requirements are well researched, tested and implemented to produce a forward thinking and engaging outcome. -Budget is no excuse for bad design. -We think there is always a possibility for opportunity no matter how small or large the project and its budget. -We work closely with our clients and use their involvement as an enriching and positive contributor to each project. -Our proven track record shows our commitment to each project and excellent construction documentation packages to minimise variations on each project. -We believe sustainability goes beyond the realms of star ratings and Broccoli additions.
INFORMATION
OUR PROCESSES
Involves rigorous investigative analysis & research resulting in a collective matrix of ideas that are refined and enriched to produce a meaningful, contemporary and carefully considered outcome, regardless of size, scale or budget.
We can provide a ‘hands on’ approachas we are able to tackle projects at a more intimate level focusing on attention to detail and are able to maintain the integrity of a design from concept to construction.
We have successful working relationships with external consultants and contractors to maintain a smooth transition from design to built form and to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
We promote the collaborative engagement of our clients at every stage of the design process to create an enriched final result that encompasses our clients, values, aspirations & personalities.
THE WORKSHOP
Branch has direct exposure, and is able to collaborate closely, with a vast network of industry, artists and crafts people which allows for the successful integration of many ‘one-off’ features into our projects and ensures that our designs are not restricted in regards to their constructability.
We can also design and construct commissioned pieces for private collections or for integration into existing spaces.
CLIENTS
Branch has a successful working relationship with a variety of client types ranging from private residential, property developers, private education organisations and community user groups & committees.
Some of our educational clients include:
- Caroline Chisholm College, Braybrook
- St Francis Xavier College, Berwick & Beaconsfield
- Marcellin College, Bulleen
-Emmaus College, Vermont & Burwood
-Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, St Albans
-St Monicas College, Epping
CAPABILITIES
Our project capabilities are: but not limited to:
- New Residential
- EducationaL
- Residential Alterations & Additions
- Master Planning
- Multi-Residential
- Commercial
- Healthcare
- Hospitality & Retail
- Liturgical
- Cultural & Civic projects
SERVICES
Branch Studio Architects offer a complete package of architectural services from concept design through to construction administration.
Our preference is to undertake Full Architectural Services in order maintain quality and design integrity of each project.
- Concept / Schematic Design
- Design Development
- Town Planning Applications
- Construction Documentation
- Contract Procurement & Tendering
- Contact Administration
TEAM
PEOPLE
Branch studio architects is led by directors Brad Wray & Nicholas Russo
Brad & Nick work closely together on all projects in the studio - as a creative and collective team with over 20 years of industry working experience across a broad range of local and international award-winning projects.
”We pride ourselves on our hands on approach during the extent of the architectural process and are able to tackle projects at a more intimate level focusing on detail." "The people you meet at the founding meetings are the people you deal with right through the duration of the project".
BRAD WRAY
Founding Director, Creative Director, Architect ARBV, Bachelor of Architecture [First Class Honours], RMIT University 2007
Brad’s role in the studio is the design & creative director - working across all projects.
Brad Wray was born in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia and educated between the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology [RMIT] in Melbourne and the Accademia Di Architettura in Mendrisio, Switzerland/ Italy.
Brad`s international studies at the Accademia Di Mendrisio with Portuguese Architects - Aires Mateus, Goncarlo Byrne and exposure to the Swiss masters Peter Zumthor & Valerio Olgiati was integral to Brad`s foundational years prior to returning and working in Melbourne for John Wardle Architects & later becoming an Associate of a small Melbourne based Architecture practice before the age of 30.
Brad also founded furniture design workshop - Brad Wray Workshop in 2013 and has been widely published for a series of crafted concrete and timber pieces.
Brad also founded furniture design workshop - Brad Wray Workshop in 2013 and has been widely published for a series of crafted concrete and timber pieces. Brad has more recently been invited to be on the judging panel for the 2020 Dezeen awards in London.
NICHOLAS RUSSO
Founding Director, Director OF Project Realisation, Architect ARBV, Bachelor of Architecture, RMIT University 2007
Nick’s role in the studio is director of project realisation - ‘the guy who works closely with builders & related teams to get the projects built on site’.
Nick’s brings his meticulous attention to detail & vast experience in contact administration processes to all projects in the studio. Nicholas Russo was born in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia and educated at the Royal Melbourne institute of Technology [RMIT] in Melbourne.
After completing University, Nick worked for his father in his multi-disciplinary design and sculpture studio. This led Nick to gain valuable experience and understanding in the disciplines of making and detailing across a diverse range of materials and scales. Exposure to the work of sculptors Anthony Pryor and Inge King was also inFLuential at this time.
A trip to Berlin - and speciFIcally a visit to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s NeueNational galerie - was hugely inspirational solidifying Nick’s appreciation for modernist architecture and the work of Mies and his contemporaries including Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and Robin Boyd & Roy Grounds closer to home. Nick continues to experiment with materiality through the design and making of furniture and other objects through ancillary studio LTNK
ELLIE FARRELL
Project Architect, Architect ARBV, Master of Architecture,
RMIT University 2007
Ellie has over 10 years experience working on large scale
tertiary educational and large scale multi-residential projects
in melbourne and interstate.
Before coming onboard at Branch, Ellie previously worked for two of melbourne’s best multi-award winning practices, one of which who has made a hugely positive contribution on melbourne’s CBD Skyline.
Ellie brings her wealth of knowledge across all projects in the office. Ellie’s analytical skills and critique of projects through various stages of the design process have played a significant role in shaping the direction of some of the practice’s best works.
JAX LAM
Senior Associate, Architect ARBV, Master of Architecture, Melbourne University 2014
JAX Completed a diploma in interior design in Singapore and worked for a year in 2010 before pursuing architecture in Australia in 2011. In 2012, JAX completed her Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Tasmania, and moved to Melbourne where she completed her Master of Architecture at the University of Melbourne.
ARUN LAKSHMANAN
Graduate of Architecture, Master of Architecture, Melbourne University 2018
He is Graduate of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Melbourne University 2018.
AWARDS
Branch studio architects have won over 22 reputable industry awards in 8 years of practice including x2 international Awards at the recent global dezeen awards in london. The dezeen awards were judged by 75 high-profile international architects from a pool of 4500 international projects From over 87 countries around the globe.
2020
- Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter awards - gpfla learning centre - education - commendation
- Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter awards - arts epicentre - education - shortlisted finalist
- Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter awards - arts epicentre - interiors - shortlisted finalist
- Australian interior design awards - arts epicentre - shortlisted finalist
- Houses awards - casa x - new house over 200m2 - shortlisted
- Houses awards - casa x - sustainability - shortlisted
- Idea awards - institutional - arts epicentre - honourable mention - first runner up
2019
- Dezeen awards - piazza dell’ufficio - overall winner - interior project of the year
- Dezeen awards - interior - piazza dell’ufficio - small workplace interior - winner - best small workplace of the year
- Good design awards - architecture - interior - piazza dell’ufficio - winner
- Australian interior design awards - workplace design - piazza dell’ufficio - commendation [top 5 out of 48 shortlisted entries]
- Inde awards - the work place - piazza dell’ufficio - honourable mention - first runner up
- Idea awards - workplace under 1000 m2 - piazza dell’ufficio - winner
- Idea awards - sustainability - piazza dell’ufficio - highly commended
2018-2017
- 2018 : Idea awards - institutional - quaine library - shortlisted finalist
- 2018 : Inde awards - the design studio -branch studio architects - shortlisted finalist
- 2018 : Inde awards - the learning space - quaine library - shortlisted finalist
- 2017 : Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter - small project architecture - balnarring retreat - winner
- 2017 : Houses awards - balnarring retreat - best new house under 200m2 - winner
- 2017 : Houses awards - a pavilion between trees - best house extension under 200m2 - winner
- 2017 : Houses awards - emerging practice - commendation
- 2017 : Houses awards - sustainability - commendation
2016-2014
- 2016 : Idea awards - public architecture - shortlisted finalist
- 2016 : Idea awards - emerging practice - shortlisted finalist
- 2016 : Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter - small project architecture - commendation flyover gallery
-2015 : Australian institute of architects - victorian chapter- award in education - winner pamela coyne library
- 2014 : Architeam awards - community award - winner pamela coyne library
- 2014 : Architeam awards - sustainability award - winner pamela coyne library
2013-2012
- 2013 : Architeam awards - architeam medal for best overall project - winner branch stuio architects - the studio
- 2013 : Architeam awards - commercial award - winner - branch stuio architects - the studio
- 2013 : Architeam awards - unbuilt award - winner canopy house
- 2013 : Think brick awards - open face award - winner - 'bridging brick babylon’
- 2012 : Jimmy watson`s design competition - winner - 'a humble of hills hoists'
