Author Archives: RTA Admin

“Being an Architect is the best job in the world!” – But what makes it so?

To mark the 20th anniversary of Russell Taylor Architects, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on what makes the profession of architecture so endlessly rewarding.

Over the past two decades, the practice has had the privilege of restoring, reimagining, and designing some truly remarkable buildings — but more than that, we’ve had the opportunity to engage in a vocation that blends art, intellect, tradition, and people.

So, why is architecture the best job in the world? We’ve gathered 20 moments, memories, and musings — paired with 20 photographs — that remind us just why we fell in love with it in the first place.

Does London really want the Garden Bridge? There might be some point if it seamlessly connected parks on opposite banks of the Thames, but it won’t!

What is the difference between good and bad Classical architecture? Can it be defined?

In July I had the good fortune to travel to Sweden and to teach for a few days at the European Summer School in Classical Architecture (ESSCA). The course has just been established and is run by the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism, generally supported by the Ax:son Johnson Foundation.

I’ve just returned from an invigorating holiday in Croatia. A highlight (among a variety of pleasures) was visiting Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Famously, the palace was surveyed and drawn by Robert Adam resulting in his publication The Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro, 1764.

The Dalmatian coast of Croatia is full of things to enjoy: sun, sea, scenery, delicious food and wine, but an under-rated joy is its architecture – of all periods.

The architecture of the earliest buildings in Australia is late-Georgian Classicism, it was the natural way to build at that time. The early designers and builders didn’t put a foot wrong.

Being an architect is the best job in the World. Well, that’s what I think! So its’ a surprise to come across someone who is a reluctant architects, and especially so when a) he’s handed a series of plum commissions without any need to promote his skills and b) he’s someone who clearly enjoyed designing…

Over the weekend I came across this image in The Daily Telegraph. In the foreground is a CGI of “Number One Blackfriars” (its not yet finished).

We asked Russell Taylor 5 questions, here are his answers: