Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was a major figure in the Gothic Revival movement in 19th century England. He was influenced by Gothic architecture he saw in Europe as a child. As an adult, he authored the influential book Contrasts advocating for Gothic Revival. Pugin designed many churches as well as interiors for the Palace of Westminster and clock tower now known as Big Ben. He emphasized honest and functional design. Pugin's principles of form following function and celebrating construction had a lasting influence on architecture after his death at the age of 40 in 1852.

1. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Overview
Early Childhood
Later Years (Career)
Pugin’s Principles
1.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Career
However, in 1840, Augustus
Pugin stated, “I will never
perpetrate anything foreign 3.
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

7. Career
4.
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.

8. Career
5.
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.

9. 7.
8.
9.
6. 11.

10. 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 10.
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.

11. Career
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.

12. 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.

13. 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.
13.
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.
12.

14. Pugin’s Principles
14.
“The Grange” Interior
Entirely designed by Pugin.
- Furniture
- Lighting
- Wallpaper
- Tiling
- Hinges and door knobs
17. 16. 15.

15. 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.
19.

16. 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 20.
a fake, dishonest design feature.

17. Collaboration
Harry Fisher – Group Organizer, Presenter, Creating Slideshow Presentation
Hannah McClraith – Gathering Information, Creating Slideshow Presentation
Ryan Saunders – Gathering Images, Creating Slideshow Presentation
Alistair Babbage – Gathering information, Creating Slideshow Presentation

18. 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

19. Bibleography – Image References
1. [Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin]. [Photo]. Received on March 30, 2013, from
http://en.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?id=d005843
2. [Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France]. [Photo]. Received on March 31, 2013, from
http://architecture.about.com/od/greatbuildings/ig/Sacred-Buildings/Chartres-
Cathedral.htm
3. [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.html
5. [Throne]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm
6. . [Wallpaper from Westminster Palace]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm
7. [Another Wallpaper from Westminster Palace]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm
8. [x-frame chair]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm

20. Bibleography – Image References
9.[Octogonal Table]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/07/0796/0796_.htm
10. [Big Ben]. [Photo]. Received on April 9, 2013, from
http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/tourist-attraction/big-ben
11. [Thomas Rawlins Georgian Classical Villa and Domestic Architecture book cover].
[Print]. Retrieved April 10, 2013 from http://www.pottertonbookslondon.com/5952
12. [The Grange Floor Plan]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-8160
13. [The Grange Exterior]. [Photo]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-8160
14. [The Grange Drawing Room]. [Photo]. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/grange-8160
15. 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

21. 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.htm
18. 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