Russell Taylor Announced as the new Chairman of TAG

At the TAG AGM on Thursday 18th June, Chairman Mark Wilson Jones stepped down from

his post. During his five years of service TAG has developed and strengthened with a doubling

of membership; more talks, lectures, and workshop visits; and growing recognition of the TAG

Awards. TAG is an increasingly powerful voice in the world of architecture. He was heartily

applauded and thanked for his great work.

Mark’s successor, Russell Taylor, the sole candidate for the Chairmanship was elected by those

attending the AGM.

Russell is an architect designing in the Classical tradition, working mostly on private houses

but with some church work and other projects. His practice, Russell Taylor Architects, is based

in a Georgian house in Blackfriars Road with a two storey extension and mews house designed

by Russell. There is a satellite office in Cornwall. Usually projects are located in the southern

half of England, but occasionally further afield.

Before being elected Russell had issued this Mission Statement:-

“We are not the past, we are the future!

If elected, my aim as Chairman will be to help spread the word. Outside our Group, the general

view seems to be that all architecture is modernist-style and craft skills are more or less dead.

If the general public has any idea of what we do they believe we must be conservationists.

Conservation is important but the Traditional Architecture Group goes far beyond that – we are

creators.

The broad membership of TAG, including students, craftspeople, academics and contractors,

is vital to its continuing success. As Chairman I will support and expand this broad network.

In particular I will try to achieve a greater engagement with architecture students and a wider

awareness of the TAG awards.

Relationships are important:-

- RIBA (we are a linked organisation)

- INTBAU, now established in 35 countries (we are the INTBAU representative in the

UK)

- Summer Schools teaching Classical and traditional architectural design, both in the UK

and worldwide.

- ICAA in the USA.

I will seek to strengthen our interaction with these organisations and reach out to others such

as the Georgian Group and the craft Livery Companies.

The need for beautifully designed, well-crafted architecture is urgent. The membership of TAG

can deliver it!”