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In the beginning there was only darkness...
AugustusPugin
Pugin After Dark, a celebration of
Victorian Gothic Architect
Pugin After Dark celebrates the life and work of AWN Pugin in new, imaginative, creative and inspiring ways. In doing so, we aim to not only raise his profile but also bring his architecture to new and diverse audiences, ensuring that his legacy and work are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
"Everyone is welcome to get involved with Pugin After Dark, whether you are a writer, artist, photographer, musician, historian or even just someone that simply appreciates the beauty of his work"
We want to make AWN Pugin's work accessible to all and endeavour to create a range of ways to do so from informative and entertaining talks & workshops to our current collaborative artwork, The Tile Project which you can also participate in online.
Over time, we will add as many places and elements to this resource as we can but we also very much encourage you to send in your own submissions as well as articles to our blog. To submit a blog article or find out how to add an place to the resource please contact us here.
As well as in person activities and events we also want to build a comprehensive online resource of AWN Pugin’s work, including details of his buildings, places and elements. This will not only be for those with a general interest but also to provide access for anyone without the ability to travel or see these places in person.
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We are incredibly honoured to dedicate Pugin After Dark to the memory of Michael Fisher and thank his family for their kind support. You can find out more about Michael and how his work inspired Pugin After Dark by visiting our tribute page in the link below.
Plans & Projects
Events
From talks to walks, workshops to exhibitions we hold a whole host of events. For full event listing visit our events page or sign up to our mailing list here.
Alton Pugin Trail
This year saw the launch of our Alton Pugin Trail, which takes visitors around Alton and details AWN Pugin’s work and hidden gems within this history rich village. To download a digital copy of the trail or to find out more, click here
Audio & Visual Resources
We are looking at ways to expand and develop our audio and visual resources so that more people can enjoy them. This includes creating audio versions of our Alton Pugin Trail and our talks, as well as creating video building tours and other creative projects.
You can subscribe to our Pugin After Dark YouTube channel here for all our videos, including our latest Pugin’s Ghosts series, which can also be viewed by clicking on the video above.
AWN Pugin's Staffordshire colouring book
A colouring book suitable for both adults and children detailing some of his most famous buildings in the county with brief histories and insights to each.
Already keen to get colouring? We have a number of colouring sheets to download for free including the tiles for the Pugin Tile project available here.
About us
Est. 1stMarch 2021
Back in 2021, I created and produced a roughly shot short film in celebration of AWN Pugin’s 209th birthday, where I explored his glorious Gothic buildings in Alton, Staffordshire by moonlight. Little did I know then that this video would be the beginning of so many wonderful things and also give Pugin After Dark its name.
"Though we may not be seen in the dark, it is in the night where we will see who we really are"
I have always had a love of the night, enjoying how it distorts and changes the perceptions of our daylight experiences.
When darkness descends, shadows become elongated, facades darken, and glass glitters in the moonlight. There is a certain magic that only comes with nightfall.
It is these altered perceptions that were the initial concept of the Pugin After Dark project. Not only was the intention to reveal a different side to his magnificent buildings, but also to discover and celebrate his work in new and alternative ways.
Since I made my initial short film, the project has steadily branched out and grown, reaching so many more people and audiences than I could have ever of imagined. I have been incredibly touched by the passion and enthusiasm everyone has shown for not only the project but also their keenness to learn more about AWN Pugin’s life and work. As the project expands further, I hope it continues to inspire others and encourage creativity.
Louie Young
Who was AWN Pugin?
Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was born on 1st March 1812 to his English mother, Catherine Welby, and French father, Auguste-Charles Pugin. It was Pugin's father, Charles, who first introduced his young son to the wonders of Medieval Gothic. Charles himself was an artist, writer, and architect, and passed on his knowledge to Pugin, teaching him his drawing and design skills. Pugin's love of Gothic flourished, and by twelve he was collecting antiquities and relics of medieval architecture, and by fifteen he was not only designing furniture for Windsor Castle but also working in Covent Garden theatre, creating scenery and assisting with the mechanics of stage.
What are Pugin's most notable works?
In the forty short years Pugin lived, he designed over one hundred buildings throughout the UK, Ireland, and even as far as Australia. His most famous works are the interiors of the Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower, which not only houses the clock but also Big Ben. His lifelong friendship with the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury also resulted in a substantial portfolio of work in Staffordshire, including St Giles Catholic Church in Cheadle, Alton Castle and hospital complex, as well as extensive alterations at Alton Towers.
What were Pugin's True Principles?
Pugin had a number of principles by which he worked. Here are a few extracts from his book, *The True Principles of Pointed or Christian architecture, that explain his philosophy: - In pure architecture, the smallest detail should have a meaning or serve a purpose, and even the construction itself should vary with the material employed, and the designs should be adapted to the material in which they are executed. - Pointed architecture does not conceal her construction, but beautifies it. - Build as well as your means afford “ ‘Omne secundum ordinem et honeste fiat’ Let every man build to God according to his means, but not practice showy deceptions; better it is to do a little substantially and consistently with truth, than to produce a great but fictitious effect.
What was Pugin like as a person?
Pugin’s voice is said to have been loud but sonorous. He spoke fast and with passion, and despite his intense manner, he was also incredibly friendly and laughed easily. He did, however, somewhat lack social polish, often using earthy language and not caring particularly at the time if he came across as rude or abrupt. Whilst some may have incurred the rougher side of Pugin’s tongue, he did actually get on well with the majority of those who worked with him and was well liked. He was also incredibly generous and kind and was often involved in the rescue of sailors off the shore of Ramsgate, where his family home; The Grange, was located. The house even had a tower from which he could observe the sea beyond and lookout for anyone in distress.
Where did Pugin live?
Pugin was born in Bloomsbury, London in 1812 but moved to Salisbury with his second wife, Louisa Button, in 1833. It is, however, The Grange in Ramsgate, which he began building in 1843, that would be his most notable and final residence. The Grange was purchased by the Landmark Trust in 1997 with funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Further grants enabled the property to be restored between 2004 and 2006, and it is now available to rent as a holiday let or can be visited on selected open days.
What was Pugin's legacy?
Pugin's eldest son, Edward Pugin, initially continued his legacy, followed by his younger sons, Cuthbert Pugin and Peter Paul Pugin, under the name of Pugin & Pugin. His grandson, Sebastian Pugin Powell, would also follow in his footsteps and go to be an architect in the family firm.
*Pugin’s True Principles book is now in the public domain. To view and read a complete copy online click on the button to the right.