About the Archistory Team

Ben Taggart

For over fifteen years Ben Taggart has concentrated on fine detail. In 1994 he founded Ben Taggart Modelmaking & Design. His aim was to produce architectural models for private clients, property developers, museums and architects that would not only represent the building but also reproduce the texture and character of each development perfectly in miniature. Notable projects included a manor house built by Sir John Soane, the head offices of Dennis Publications, Fulham Palace for The Museum of Fulham Palace, a model of Auschwitz for the Imperial War Museum and a model of Highgrove for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

In the process of this painstaking work it became clear that the greatest satisfaction was to be gained in understanding the building on which the model was to be based and really working out what was in the mind of the original builder or architect. Ben then hit upon the idea of combining his love of architecture, his eye for detail and his training in typography and graphic design with his passion for history.

Ben studied graphics at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art from 1987 to 1990. Previous to that he had attended a Foundation course at The Central School of Art and Design. He seemed to be following the family path. His late father David was not only a talented painter but also a gifted designer. His mother Jenny still works as a portrait painter and illustrator.

On graduation Ben started work immediately for Gerry Judah Studio Ltd. Here he worked as a designer and modelmaker working with clients including; Robinson Lanbie Nairn, BBC 1 and BBC 2 presentation graphics departments and Channel 4 graphics. In the mid 1990’s Ben worked freelance for a wide range of companies from architects to theatre designers before staring his own business.

In the process of modelmaking Ben honed his skills as a draftsman. To construct a model a very detailed and accurate set of plans are required. For most buildings- unless they are newly built, plans are not available. Ben set about evolving a method of observational drawing, measurement and photographic notation that enabled him to produce exact scale drawings of any building. This led to clients asking him to draw up new developments and planning proposals for projects. The level of detail in Ben’s plans far outweighs what architects or planners normally require. For the client who knows every brick of his house and is attempting to enlarge or develop the property Ben could give them information that was invaluable, before any building work was to commence. One client in particular commented that he had saved a vast sum in employing Ben to draw everything, even down to the interior walls and furniture. He could then know for sure that the positions of light switches and radiators would not interfere with his ideas for the arrangement of furniture in his new home.

Paul Murray

Paul Murray is the great great grandson of Sir James Murray, editor of the first Oxford English Dictionary. Paul studied at Emmanuel College Cambridge and graduated with an MA in Modern Languages in 1985. He has spent many years as a copywriter, translator, local historian and teacher. A multi-linguist, he was one of the translators on The Larousse Encyclopaedia of Wine, and worked in the early part of his career in France and Germany. He has also written brochure copy for Mór Design, Wishbone and Confabulation. In the last ten years Paul has taught presentation and communication skills to company executives at the Oxford Said Business School and at the London Business School.

He has also led similar courses as far afield as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and South Africa. His open-minded interest in local culture and customs has enabled him to broaden his teaching experience.

Paul’s passion for architectural history was first kindled after reading John Ruskin’s ‘The Seven Lamps of Architecture’, with its focus on aesthetic appreciation. A growing fascination with the Gothic revival in the nineteeenth century led Paul to be commissioned to write a pamphlet on the history of the grade 2 listed Aged Pilgrims’ Resthome in Camberwell, London, followed by requests to write on other aspects of the local history of the area.

Paul was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the Archistory project. For him, researching each property presents a different and fascinating challenge. There is always something exciting to be discovered about a home, its setting, and the colourful characters who may have lived in it. The joy of writing an ‘Archistory’ is being able to unlock those secrets.

 

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