Charles Alexander

08/03/1903

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Charles Russell (known as Alec) was an important local twentieth century architect whose legacy survives today in the practice of Russell & Yelland.

Charles Alexander Russell was born on 8 March 1903 at Alberton to Alexander Russell and Sarah Jane (nee McAllister). At the age of 32, Russell married Doreen Nina Ryan on 12 December 1935 at St Peters College Chapel, Hackney (SLSA Family History Database). He had two sons Alexander Richard, who became an engineer, John Victor, who became an architect (J. Held 2008, pers. comm., 22 September) and a daughter Rosie (Jolly 2006). In 1920 Russell received a Sergeant’s Certificate from the Commonwealth Military Forces of South Australia. ‘Corporal C.A. Russell, 16th. 10th Infantry, was examined at Alberton Station on 28 April 1919 and qualified for the rank of Sergeant’ (Jolly 2006). He was then appointed rank of Second Lieutenant, Officer of the Cadet Corps of the Commonwealth from July 1920. Russell served in the Australian Military Forces, Volunteer Defence Corps from 1 May 1942 to 8 November 1945. He died on 15 May 1975 (Jolly 2006).

Russell entered into the profession of architecture at a time when architectural education comprised part-time articled training and academic tuition. In 1919 he was articled to the prominent Adelaide architect, F. Kenneth Milne, with whom he later entered into partnership (LLSAM Milne S1 notebook). Russell balanced his office training with the study of several academic subjects, including in 1919 Architectural History (South Australian School of Mines and Industries 1920: 21). He studied at the only institution which offered this type of education – the South Australian School of Mines and Industries which had established an Architectural Department in 1906.

Russell had many partnerships over the years. He joined the partnership of Milne & Evans in 1925. However on the 31 December 1930 the partnership of Milne, Evans and Russell was terminated (Collins 2007: 294). Jacob & Russell operated c.1928, presumably while Russell was still employed by Milne. In 1931 Russell operated as C.A. Russell but shortly after, c.1932, the partnership of Malin Russell & Co Ltd was established. By 1934-35 Russell returned to working as C.A. Russell. From 1935 to 1936 Russell’s office address was the same as fellow architects Bruce & Harral, and in 1938 it was the same as Ashton & Fisher (Willis 1998). The proximity of their offices led to various collaborations including, in 1938, C.A. Russell’s association with Caradoc Ashton & Fisher (Russell Collection S98). One of Russell’s most productive partnerships was with Keith Mills Yelland. Russell & Yelland was established c.1939 and still exists today (2008). Russell & Yelland continued to work on joint projects with others such as William Lucas (Russell Collection S98).

In 1934 Russell was an Associate of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) (SA) and from 1937-39 an Associate of the South Australian Institute of Architects (SAIA) (Willis 1998). In 1941 he became a Fellow of the SAIA (Sands & McDougall 1940: 42). In 1940 he registered as an architect following the introduction of the Architects Act in South Australia. Ten years later he registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (Jolly 2006).

One of Jacob & Russell’s works was a Masonic Temple at Melrose (a town north of Adelaide) c.1928. The partnership of Milne, Evans and Russell was involved in a range of works including extensions and additions to the Laura hotel (also north of Adelaide) c.1929, alterations and additions to a Kensington Park residence c.1929, renovations and repair at Lady Galway Convalescent Home at Henley Beach South c.1930. One of the earliest projects Russell undertook as a sole practitioner, C.A. Russell, was alterations and additions to a residence at College Park c.1931. ‘Two brick shops’ on Commercial Road, Port Adelaide were undertaken by Malin Russell & Co Ltd c.1932. Around 1934, C.A. Russell was engaged with designing a new theatre for the town of Gawler. Throughout 1934 and 1935 he continued to work on residential and commercial works. He moved on to designing a petrol station at Dulwich c.1937-39 and motor showrooms at Broken Hill c.1937. Both projects signified the growing importance of the motor car.

One of Russell & Yelland’s earliest works was a ‘Seven roomed residence’ at Springfield c.1939. The partnership balanced residential commissions with an addition to a factory in Grote Street, Adelaide c.1939 and extensions, additions and alterations to the Green Dragon Hotel in Adelaide c.1939 (Willis 1998). In 1940 Russell & Yelland entered the Adelaide Boys High School Competition which was won by the Sydney architects Fitzgerald and Brogan (Russell collection S98/3/1-5).

As a practice Russell & Yelland played an important role in the architectural profession during World War Two. It designed and documented not only Air Raid Precautions including the conversion of both the Sir Edwin Smith Stand at Adelaide Oval and the Norwood Oval grandstand, but also an Air Raid Shelter as a private commission for Mrs T.R. Scarfe of Eden Park, Marryatville (Collins 2007: 319, 328, 331). Russell & Yelland was an active practice in the post World War Two period. It undertook a significant number of rural projects particularly in Broken Hill necessitating an office there as well as Adelaide (Russell Collection S98).

The firm of Russell & Yelland continued to grow. In the RAIA publication Architecture SA 1970-1980 it was considered to be among South Australia’s 'leading' architectural practices (Wotton cited in RAIA n.d. no page number). Its project ‘Housing for the Aged’ at Woodville was showcased. It was praised for its sense of community and the design scheme had a clear expression of materials including brick, timber siding, and skillion roofs. The practice of Russell & Yelland survives today (2008).

Susan Collins

Citation details
Collins, Susan, 'Russell, Charles Alexander', Architecture Museum, University of South Australia, 2008, Architects of South Australia: [http://www.architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID+76]