Early Childhood

Later Years (Career)

Pugin’s Principles

Overview

1.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin

Overview

Augustus Pugin was seen as a major lead in the Gothic Revival Movement, mainly focussing on churches due to his heavy religious beliefs.

He was known as an artist, a painter but primarily, he was known as an Architect and a Designer.

Influenced greatly in his early years by all over Europe.

He Designed the Interior of the West Minster Palace and Big Ben itself.

Born in London on the 1st of March in 1812. His father Auguste Charles (1769 to 1832), his mother Catherine.

Died on the 14th September 1852 in Ramsgate, Kent, England, U.K. He was 40.

Early Childhood

At an early age, Augustus Pugin was surrounded by influences of what essentially shaped the rest of his life and his work as an Architect. Growing up in a late Georgian London, Augustus was thrown into the depths of the commercial art world. Being dragged along by his mother to hear the sermons of Edward Irving (a Scottish Clergymen) he began strong religious beliefs. His early years seemed quite different compared to the average childhood in London. Instead of being sent to school, he was free to be inspired by the theatre and art world. Being an only child, Catherine and Auguste seemed to pamper the boy.

Early Childhood

While his childhood appeared to be liberal and free, his family struggled with money, relying as they did on Auguste’s commissions and drawing classes. These classes did seem beneficial, however, taking Augustus all around Europe including France which turned out to be majorly influential. Falling in love with the quality of light and the towering spires of the gothic churches. These to which seemed absent in the Presbyterian churches back home eventually leading to a change in religion for Augustus in 1835. At the age of 14, he began working with his father, which supported his artistic up bringing, mingling with those of whom his father worked with. For example, Copley Fielding, JD Harding and Clarkson Stanfield.

2.

Career

What essentially started off his career as an architect, was a book he published in 1836 called Contrasts, comparing his current era’s architecture to buildings erected in the 15th

century, arguing that a Gothic Revival must occur. His love for Gothic Architecture was clear and can be seen in just about all his work.One year later, in 1837, he designed the St Chads Church in Burningham as well as the St Marrys Church in Darby. These were heavily influenced by a trip to see the Gothic architecture in Belgium in his early childhood.

Career

However, in 1840, Augustus Pugin stated, “I will never perpetrate anything foreign of England again..” (Pugin, 1840,

as cited in The British Art Journal,

2009, p42)

This was in fact true. At least for several years. His final design that showed any continental influence was in 1839 where he erected the St Alban’s Church in Macclesfield.At the age of 30, Pugin had already build 22 churches and 3 cathedrals along with many other buildings

3.

One of Pugin’s greatest achievements was designing the interior for the Westminster Palace.The great fire of 1834 left very little of the Parliament buildings in London. As a result of this, a competition was announced for its reconstruction. Anyone could enter, however, it had to be of Gothic or Elizabethan Style. Pugin acted as draughtsman for two of entries, though he never entered himself. The two were Charles Barry and James Gillespie Graham. Charles Barry won the competition due to the clear and clean drawings submitted and as a result, in 1844, Barry invited Pugin to collaborate with him and provide designs for the interior.

Career

4.

This was quite a large task set before him. So much so that this was seen as his main occupation right up until his death in 1852, spending hours upon hours every day and producing wonderful work. All of which can be seen today in the Westminster Palace such as x-frame chairs and octagonal tables. Most notably, however, is the highly detailed Throne.

Career

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Career

While the constructing the Westminster Palace, Charles Barry also put Pugin in charge of designing a clock tower and its face that would sit close to the building. This would come to be affectionately called Big Ben. This project would also be seen as Pugin’s final work before his decent into madness. The tower resembles his earlier work, designed in such a way that speaks very clearly of a Gothic Revival style.Though he was very happy with what he had designed, Pugin would not be able to hear the chimes nor see it standing. It was completed 6 years after his death in 1858.

10.

At the close of the year his mind became affected Pugin was decleared insane in 1852 at the age of 40 after braking when he learned his was declined admission to the Royal Academy.

He was originally housed in Bethlehem Pauper Hospital for the Insane "Bedlam".

He was then moved to Ramsgate where he died two days later after suffering a fatal stroke.

A. W. N. Pugin died at the age of 40 in 1852.

After his death his son, Edward Welby Pugin, continued Augustus’s work, completing his outstanding projects.

A lot of Pugin’s influence in design came after he died.

Career

Pugin’s Principles

Pugin’s Family Home – “The Grange”, Ramsgate, Kent

A Reaction Against the Georgian Style.

The architecture of the Georgian era (1714-1830) had for the past century placed more importance on crafting heavily ordered, symmetrical facades while giving little consideration to how people were to live within these buildings. Exterior aesthetics were considered more important than internal function.

11.

Pugin’s Principles

Designing Buildings from the Inside Out – Form following Function

Pugin reacted against the Georgian style by choosing to design his family home from the inside out. He wanted to make the interior as comfortable and practical as possible for his family to live in. Rooms were arranged in a “pinwheel” formation around a central hallway to ensure easy access to all areas. Windows and room placement were also made to specifically enjoy the exterior views of the sea and the nearby monastery.

This practical, functional mode of design was considered revolutionary at the time, but is now typical to the modern family home and building design in general.

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Pugin’s Principles

“The Grange” InteriorEntirely designed by Pugin.

- Furniture- Lighting- Wallpaper- Tiling- Hinges and door knobs

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Pugin’s Principles

Pugin’s Principle of “Honest Design”

Celebrating How Things are Constructed:

Pugin believed in revealing construction within his designs. To try and conceal or erase the way things have been crafted was something he considered untruthful and un-Christian. The things that hold an object together are what make it functional and so should be a celebrated feature rather than something shameful and ugly. 18.

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Pugin’s Principles

Pugin’s Principle of “Honest Design”

Things Must Have a Functional Purpose in Order to be Honest.

Pugin disliked decoration for the sake of being decorative or anything that gave the false illusion of being functional.

Eg: Eastnor Castle sitting room. Pugin decorated this room with his furniture but disliked the room itself. The fanciful columns that only pretend to hold the ceiling up are a fake, dishonest design feature.

20.

Collaboration

Harry Fisher – Group Organizer, Presenter, Creating Slideshow PresentationHannah McClraith – Gathering Information, Creating Slideshow PresentationRyan Saunders – Gathering Images, Creating Slideshow PresentationAlistair Babbage – Gathering information, Creating Slideshow Presentation

Bibleography – Text References

Text References:

• Fillask. (2012, September 9). Time Team Special 30 (2007) – Pugin the God of Gothic (Ramsgate, Kent) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHoh2cW6SDg

• The house Augustus Pugin built for himself to live in. Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/our-landmarks/properties/the-grange-3253#tabs=1

• Style Guide: Palladianism. Retrieved April 2, 2013, from http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-palladianism/

• Stanford, Caroline. Saving the Grange. Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/grange/grange.htm

• Barry and Pugin: Architect and Designer. Retrieved April 9th 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm

• Hill, R. (2001) Pugin and Ruskin. The British Art Journal (pp. 39-45). London, England: Berger Collection Educational Trust

Bibleography – Image References

1. [Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin]. [Photo]. Received on March 30, 2013, from http://en.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?id=d0058432. [Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France]. [Photo]. Received on March 31, 2013, from http://architecture.about.com/od/greatbuildings/ig/Sacred-Buildings/Chartres-Cathedral.htm3. [St Albans RC Church. Macclesfield]. [Photo]. Received on April 1, 2013, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/15973774@N05/5743888653/4. [View from the southeast]. [Photo]. Received on April 1, 2013, from http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/england/london/parliament/barry.html5. [Throne]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm6. . [Wallpaper from Westminster Palace]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm7. [Another Wallpaper from Westminster Palace]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm8. [x-frame chair]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm

Bibleography – Image References

9.[Octogonal Table]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm10. [Big Ben]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, fromhttp://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/tourist-attraction/big-ben11. [Thomas Rawlins Georgian Classical Villa and Domestic Architecture book cover]. [Print]. Retrieved April 10, 2013 from http://www.pottertonbookslondon.com/595212. [The Grange Floor Plan]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-816013. [The Grange Exterior]. [Photo]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-816014. [The Grange Drawing Room]. [Photo]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-816015. Crowest, Richard. (2010). The wallpaper again, in autumn colours [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/12308967@N07/4983145289/16. The central hallway with its distinctive banisters. [Photo]. Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/grange/grange.htm

Bibleography – Image References

17. The same wallpaper design, using the Pugin motto, is used in different colours throughout the house. [Photo]. Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://www.mel-thompson.co.uk/Gallery%20Architecture.htm18. Pugin Style Armchair Leather Seat & Back. [Photo]. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/armchairs/pugin-style-armchair-leather-seat-back/id-f_581692/19. Pugin Style Armchair Leather Seat & Back [Nail Detailing Close Up]. [Photo]. Retrieved April 10, 2013, fromhttp://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/armchairs/pugin-style-armchair-leather-seat-back/id-f_581692/20. English School. Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire: the drawing room, with furniture designed by Pugin, c.1840. Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire. Retrieved from http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/XB013448/Eastnor-Castle?img=1&search=Eastnor%20Castle&cat=all&bool=phrase