Russell Buchanan began practicing architecture in 1983 after attending Texas A & M University. He interned at HKS Architects in Dallas from 1983 until 1985. From 1985 to 1986 he attended the History and Theory Programme at The Architectural Association in London. He returned to the United States in 1986 to complete his architectural internship at HKS.

In 1988, Russell joined Cunningham Architects as a Project Architect. He contributed to a number of award winning projects while at Cunningham Architects, most notably the Addison Conference Center and Theater, and Cistercian Chapel.

In 1992 he founded Russell Buchanan:Architect which became Buchanan Architecture in 2003. His work to date represents a wide range of project types including single family and multi-family residential, hospitality, commercial, municipal, historic preservation, and exhibition projects. His firm continues to maintain a high caliber of excellence; winning numerous design awards at the local, state and national level. Notable award winning projects include Envelope, Elements, and Oak Court, which received the National Trust for Historic Preservation Award in 2008.

In addition to his architecture practice Russell began putting together a collection of furniture design prototypes in 1986. The collection continued to grow and in 1994 Russell Norton Buchanan, Incorporated was formed as the furniture arm of his design practice. Currently, the collection includes over fifty pieces and his Spring Table is included in the permanent collection of the Dallas Museum of Art.

Russell’s work in both furniture design and architecture has been widely published in the national and international press. Articles about his work can be found in Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Architecture, Texas Architect, Metropolitan Home, Wohnen, and the I.D. Review.

Today, Russell continues to practice architecture, design furniture, and teach as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington. He is also a founding member of the Dallas Architecture Forum and served on its Board of Directors.