Frank Russell

Frank Russell, AIA, is an Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati where beginning in 1990 he provided instruction in Urban Design and Multi-Disciplinary Innovation. He served in executive roles for multiple research and design units including the DAAP Center for Urban Design, the DAAP Community Design Center, the Provost’s Niehoff Urban Studio, and the University-wide UC Forward program. In this capacity, he has promoted collaborative innovation among the university’s diverse disciplines and external partners through cross-disciplinary experiential learning. Russell is a registered practicing architect and principal of Russell Compton Architects. In private and public practice for more than thirty years, he has carried out numerous architecture projects (50+), urban design plans, and planning studies (20+).
 
A native of the city, Russell returned after professional work and graduate study to the University of Cincinnati in 1990 to establish the Center for Urban Design where he provided teaching, research, and community engagement. From 1996 he directed the UC Community Design Center, a state sponsored technical service unit. In 2002 Russell initiated the Provost sponsored University-wide Niehoff Urban Studio in partnership with the DAAP School of Architecture and Interior Design and the School of Planning. This studio, located off-campus in Over-the-Rhine and later in Corryville, served as a venue for credit bearing interdisciplinary coursework for students focused on issues relevant to the center city. The studio engaged a broad spectrum of community stakeholders with students and faculty in problem solving public education, research and design activity. The studio has worked in 34+ communities and in partnership with 159+ community based organizations. (see publications below for studio documentation)
 
Russell’s research has been published in Cities:the International Journal of Policy and Planning, Design Review:The Role of Aesthetic Environmental Quality in Planning, Activist Architecture:Philosophy and Practice of the Community Design Center, and he co-edited New Directions in Urban Public Housing. He has been the recipient of major grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the American Architectural Foundation/National Endowment for the Arts, and has directed the Midwest Regional Mayor’s Institute on City Design sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors. Russell has been recognized with honors from the University of Cincinnati, the AIA Cincinnati Design Awards, the Cincinnati Preservation Association, and the Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati. Russell has served as a Commissioner of the Cincinnati Park Board and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and as past Chair of the Urban Design Committee of AIA Cincinnati. He has been a Trustee of the Cincinnati Zoo, the Mercantile Library, the Mill Creek Restoration Project, Gabriel’s Place, the Center for Closing the Health Gap, and the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.  Russell has been a committee member for the Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated, the Uptown Consortium, the Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati, Agenda 360, the Greater Cincinnati Food Policy Council, the City of Cincinnati Food Access Task Force, and the City of Cincinnati Healthy Living Task Force.
 
With formal study in Art History, Fine Art, Urban Design, and Architecture, Russell holds an A.B. Art from Vassar College (1983), studied drawing at the Art Student’s League and Fortman Fine Art Studios, Florence, Italy (1984) and received an urban design Internship at the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies, New York City (1985). He graduated with a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design (1989).

www.uc.edu/cdc

Grant: #FY2003-1411-46 Investigators:Russell, Francis 07-01-2002 -10-31-2003 Ohio Arts Council Art in the Market 2002-03 Year 2 Role:PI $19,880.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #DCA 99-06 Investigators:Russell, Francis 06-01-1999 -02-11-2000 National Endowment for the Arts Mayor's Institute on City Design: Midwest Role:PI $44,968.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #FY2000-1438 # 46 Investigators:Russell, Francis 01-01-2000 -11-30-2000 Ohio Arts Council Findlay Market Art Project FY2000 Role:PI $24,256.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #OSP00171 Investigators:Russell, Francis 03-29-2000 -03-28-2001 Glendale, Village of Glendale Comprehensive Plan Role:PI $8,000.00 Closed Level:Local Government

Grant: #FY2001-1417 #46 Investigators:Russell, Francis 07-01-2000 -10-30-2001 Ohio Arts Council Findley Market Arts Project FY2001 Role:PI $25,638.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #OSP 01154 Investigators:Russell, Francis 02-15-2001 -09-30-2001 National Endowment for the Arts Mayor's Institute on City Design Role:PI $44,418.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #FY2002-1419-46 Investigators:Russell, Francis 07-01-2001 -10-30-2002 Ohio Arts Council Art in the Market 2002-03 Role:PI $21,225.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #65x1054 Investigators:Russell, Francis 10-01-1996 -06-30-2000 Ohio Board of Regents Findlay Market Community Design Center Role:PI $37,840.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #OSP98161 Investigators:Russell, Francis 09-01-1998 -10-15-1999 Cincinnati, City of Findlay Market Art Project 1999 Role:PI $3,000.00 Closed Level:Local Government

Grant: #FY2000-0213 Investigators:Russell, Francis 07-01-1999 -10-31-1999 Ohio Arts Council Findlay Market Art Project FY1999 Role:PI $2,000.00 Closed Level:State of Ohio

Grant: #DCA-UC Investigators:Russell, Francis 04-01-2009 -09-30-2010 Uptown Consortium, Inc. Uptown Consortium Planning and Support Grant Role:PI $20,000.00 Closed Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #SRS 006768 Investigators:Russell, Francis 09-01-2009 -08-31-2011 Department of Agriculture Community Food Program Role:PI $20,518.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #SRS007812 Investigators:Russell, Francis 09-01-2011 -03-31-2013 Local Initiatives Support Corporation Covington Center City Action Plan Role:PI $10,000.00 Active Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #Fixed Price SCA Investigators:Russell, Francis 01-07-2013 -12-31-2013 Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Greater Cincinnati and Norther Ky Niehoff Urban Studio: Community Development and Transportation Role:PI $10,000.00 Active Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #SCA Investigators:Russell, Francis 08-22-2017 -12-15-2017 Standard Textile Co. Standard Textile Window Challenge Role:PI $10,000.00 Awarded Level:Industry

Grant: #SCA 2018-19 Investigators:Russell, Francis 08-27-2018 -12-31-2019 Uptown Consortium, Inc. Smart Transportation Network and Hub for the Uptown Innovation Corridor Role:PI $50,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #Studio Collaboration Agreement Investigators:Russell, Francis 01-14-2019 -12-31-2019 Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Cincinnati Zoo Animal Enrichment Workshop Role:PI $5,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #2020 Studio Collaboration Agreement_Zero Hunger Investigators:Russell, Francis 08-27-2019 -09-30-2020 Kroger Company Kroger Zero Hunger - Zero Waste Workshop Role:PI $10,000.00 Awarded Level:Industry

Published Books

(2013. ) Movement in the City: Bus Rapid Transit - Bike Rapid Transit .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Movement in the City: Bus Rapid Transit-Bike Rapid Transit

(2004. ) Food and Urban Quality of Life .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Urban Food and Quality of Life

(2006. ) The Over-the-Rhine Project .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

(2008. ) Housing and Community Development in Uptown .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

(2010. ) Great Streets and Gateways .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

(2010. ) Great Streets and Gateways - Envisioning a Sustainable Future for the Cincinnati Museum Center and its District .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

(2012. ) Place Matters-Covington Center City Action Plan .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Place Matters-Covington Center City Action Plan

(2014. ) Movement in the City-Vision and Planning for the Wasson Way .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Movement in the City-Vision and Planning for the Wasson Way

(2015. ) Building Healthy & Resilient Places-Rethinking Burnet Woods .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Building Healthy & Resilient Places-Rethinking Burnet Woods

(2008. ) Building Healthy & Resilient Places-Rethinking Burnet Woods .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Building Healthy & Resilient Places-Rethinking Burnet Woods

(2011. ) Annual Report Niehoff Urban Studio 2011 .Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio (Editor)

Annual Report Niehoff Urban Studio 2011

Academic - University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio
2728 Short Vine Street
Cincinnati   Ohio, 45220
Phone: 513-403-2973
frank.russell@uc.edu