Russell Taylor is a British architect who has designed and worked on a variety of building types, designing in the style known as
New Classical Architecture
New Classical architecture, also known as New Classicism or Contemporary Classical architecture, is a Contemporary architecture, contemporary movement that builds upon the principles of Classical architecture. It is sometimes considered the mode ...
, which follows the Classical tradition.The Oratory Magazine, March 2006 Church Building Sept/Oct & Nov/Dec 2010 Church Building, May/June 2010 He formed Russell Taylor Architects in 2005 and has offices in London and
Cornwall
Cornwall (; or ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is also one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, ...
.
Introduction
Personal
Russell Taylor was born and grew up in
Ipswich
Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, ...
in Suffolk. He studied architecture at
Kingston Polytechnic
Kingston University London is a public research university located within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, in South West London, England. Its roots go back to the Kingston Technical Institute, founded in 1899. It received university ...
and later conservation at the
Architectural Association
The Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, commonly referred to as the AA, is the oldest private school of architecture in the UK. The AA hosts exhibitions, lectures, symposia and publications. History
The Architectura ...
in London.
He is married with three daughters and a son and lives in London and
Cornwall
Cornwall (; or ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is also one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, ...
.
He shares a birthday with
Sir Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS (; – ) was an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who was one of the most highly acclaimed architects in the history of England. Known for his work in the English Baroque style, he was acc ...
: 20 October.
Career
Russell Taylor worked with the Classicists
Robert Chitham
Robert Chitham (1935 or 36 – 13 September 2017) was a British architect and writer. He was the author of ''The Classical Orders of Architecture'' published in 1985. A revised edition was published in 2005.John Simpson before joining the traditionalist practice Carden & Godfrey where he was made a partner. In 2005 he founded Russell Taylor Architects a practice with offices in London and
Cornwall
Cornwall (; or ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is also one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, ...
.
Examples of his work include:
* Crosby Hall in ChelseaCountry Life, 9 May 1997The Classicist, 1999"Experimental Houses", Nicholas Pople, 2000
* The 11 September Memorial in
Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square ( ) is a large garden square in the Mayfair district of Westminster, Greater London. It is the centrepiece of the Mayfair property of the Duke of Westminster, and takes its name from the duke's surname "Grosvenor". It was deve ...
* The Newman and St Joseph Chapels in The London
Brompton Oratory
Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a neo-classical late-Victorian Catholic parish church in the Brompton area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, neighbouring Knightsbridge, London. Its name stems from Oratorian ...
Church Building, May/June 2005The Kensington Society Report, 2010Country Life, 29/03/2007 /ref>
* Newham, Trewane and Wetherham, Cornish countryhouses.
* London townhouses for private clients.
* Blen Hime Castle
He is:
* A trustee of the Georgian Group
* A Brother of the Art Workers' Guild
* A Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Masons
* An active member of INTBAU
* A teacher at the European Summer School in Classical Architecture.
Projects
2016-2018 The
Royal Society of Musicians
The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a Charitable organization, charity in the United Kingdom that supports musicians. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the ''Fund for Decay'd Musicians'' by a ...
, Fitzroy Square, London
2015-2016 Ely Place Holborn, London refurbishment and alteration as barristers' chambers. Award: The Georgian Group
2015-2019 Villa, Bangkok, Thailand. A large stone Classical villa. (A project originally designed by Quinlan and Francis Terry.)
2012-2015 Trewane, St Kew, Cornwall. Alterations and extension in matching style to an important Listed 17th century country house.
2011-2013 Wetherham, St Tudy, Cornwall. Refurbishment and new interiors for an 18th century house with Art Deco interiors. Award: Cornish Buildings Group.
2010 The Newman Chapel: A new Chapel in the London
Brompton Oratory
Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a neo-classical late-Victorian Catholic parish church in the Brompton area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, neighbouring Knightsbridge, London. Its name stems from Oratorian ...
with
altar
An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...
and
reredos
A reredos ( , , ) is a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a Church (building), church. It often includes religious images.
The term ''reredos'' may also be used for similar structures, if elaborate, in secular a ...
in
scagliola
Scagliola (from the Italian language, Italian ''scaglia'', meaning "chips") is a type of fine plaster used in architecture and sculpture. The same term identifies the technique for producing columns, sculptures, and other architectural elements t ...
.
2009 – present St John's Wood Barracks, London: designs for the redevelopment of the area. New housing in a Classical style. Consultant to the principal architects,
John McAslan
John Renwick McAslan (born 16 February 1954) is a British architect.
Education and career
Born in Glasgow, John McAslan was educated at Dunoon Grammar School, Dollar Academy and the University of Edinburgh. He trained in Boston, USA, with C ...
and partners.
2008–2011 Newham Farm,
Cornwall
Cornwall (; or ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is also one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, ...
: A new country house and extensive alterations to a range of buildings all in the Cornish Classical vernacular style.
2007–2010 The Narthex: A visitor centre for the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in
Norwich
Norwich () is a cathedral city and district of the county of Norfolk, England, of which it is the county town. It lies by the River Wensum, about north-east of London, north of Ipswich and east of Peterborough. The population of the Norwich ...
(
St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich
The Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Norwich, Norfolk, England. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of East Anglia (modern), bishop of East Anglia and the mother church of the diocese of East Anglia. It ...
) incorporating hall, shop, Café, bar, etc. and forming the new main entrance into the Cathedral.
2008–2010 Odsey House,
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire (abbreviated Cambs.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the north-east, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfor ...
: Extensive repairs and alterations to a
Grade I listed
In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Hi ...
country house built in 1720.
2007–2009
Fitzroy Square
Fitzroy Square is a Georgian architecture, Georgian garden square, square in London, England. It is the only one in the central London area known as Fitzrovia.
The square is one of the area's main features, this once led to the surrounding di ...
: Conservation and re-instatement of lost features on a Grade I listed Adam house.
2006–2008
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle is a restored and remodelled medieval castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England. It was established by Roger de Montgomery in the 11th century. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War and then restored in the 18th and earl ...
: A new garden in 17th century style, designed by
Isabel and Julian Bannerman
Isabel is a female name of Iberian origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheba''). Arising in the 12th century, it became popul ...
.Country Life, 29 March 1997
2004 – 2005 St Joseph's Chapel, The London
Brompton Oratory
Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a neo-classical late-Victorian Catholic parish church in the Brompton area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, neighbouring Knightsbridge, London. Its name stems from Oratorian ...
. A new large
baldacchino
A baldachin, or baldaquin (from ), is a canopy of state typically placed over an altar or throne. It had its beginnings as a cloth canopy, but in other cases it is a sturdy, permanent architectural feature, particularly over high altars in ca ...
and
reredos
A reredos ( , , ) is a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a Church (building), church. It often includes religious images.
The term ''reredos'' may also be used for similar structures, if elaborate, in secular a ...
in a side chapel in
marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure. It has a crystalline texture, and is ty ...
,
stone
In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...
and
scagliola
Scagliola (from the Italian language, Italian ''scaglia'', meaning "chips") is a type of fine plaster used in architecture and sculpture. The same term identifies the technique for producing columns, sculptures, and other architectural elements t ...
.
2003 – present Cathedral of St John the Baptist,
Norwich
Norwich () is a cathedral city and district of the county of Norfolk, England, of which it is the county town. It lies by the River Wensum, about north-east of London, north of Ipswich and east of Peterborough. The population of the Norwich ...
: Major re-ordering works including a new high
altar
An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...
,
cathedra
A ''cathedra'' is the throne of a bishop in the early Christian basilica. When used with this meaning, it may also be called the bishop's throne. With time, the related term ''cathedral'' became synonymous with the "seat", or principa ...
, etc.; a
columbarium
A columbarium (; pl. columbaria), also called a cinerarium, is a structure for the reverential and usually public storage of funerary urns holding cremated remains of the dead. The term comes from the Latin ''columba'' (dove) and originally solel ...
; fire protection works; a new visitor centre; and new sustainable heating.
2002–2003
Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square ( ) is a large garden square in the Mayfair district of Westminster, Greater London. It is the centrepiece of the Mayfair property of the Duke of Westminster, and takes its name from the duke's surname "Grosvenor". It was deve ...
: 11 September Memorial Garden. A Classical pavilion and garden structure in green oak within an oval garden.
1998–2002 The Jerwood Medical Education Centre, Royal College of Physicians,
Regent's Park
Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks of London. It occupies in north-west Inner London, administratively split between the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Camden, Borough of Camden (and historical ...
.
1994–1995
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a List of British royal residences, royal residence at Windsor, Berkshire, Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, about west of central London. It is strongly associated with the Kingdom of England, English and succee ...
: Feasibility designs for new interiors to the State and Octagonal Dining Rooms.
1993 – present
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle is a restored and remodelled medieval castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England. It was established by Roger de Montgomery in the 11th century. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War and then restored in the 18th and earl ...
, West Sussex: A series of works including new gardens, interiors, lighting and Victorian Gothic style fittings.
1992–1997 Crosby Hall, Chelsea: A new English
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
style house covering a ½ acre and including the Great Hall of 1466.
1992–1995
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College (BNC) is one of the Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It began as Brasenose Hall in the 13th century, before being founded as a college in 1509. The l ...
: Refurbishment, repair and extension works, and the Porters' Lodge.
1991 – present The London
Brompton Oratory
Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a neo-classical late-Victorian Catholic parish church in the Brompton area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, neighbouring Knightsbridge, London. Its name stems from Oratorian ...
: Repairs and redecoration and completion of unfinished elements.
1991 21 Wadham Gardens, NW3: A large, new Arts and Crafts style house.
1989 Da Costa House, Highgate: A new office building in 18th century Classical style.
Articles by Russell Taylor
* 'Revealing Masons Mysteries', ''
Architects' Journal
''Architects' Journal'' is a professional architecture magazine, published monthly in London by Metropolis International. Each issue includes in-depth features on relevant current affairs, alongside profiles of recently completed buildings. Ten t ...
'' 26/09/89
* 'Stone Cleaning', Building Conservation Directory 1994
* Chimneys & Flues , Building Conservation Directory 1999
* 'St Joseph's Chapel', The Oratory Magazine March 2006
* , Building Conservation Directory 2006 /ref>
* 'The Use of Classicism', Listed Heritage Issue 50 2007
* The Oratory Dome - SPAB Magazine August 2018
* Solomonic Columns in England
The Georgian Group
The Georgian Group is a British charity, and the national authority on Georgian architecture built between 1700 and 1837 in England and Wales. As one of the National Amenity Societies, The Georgian Group is a statutory consultee on alterati ...
Journal 2016
* 13 Ely Place, An Exemplar of Georgian Group Spatial Ordering The Georgian 2017
* Putting Back the Style - Listed Heritage Issue 122 2019