Join leading classical architect George Saumarez Smith for a discussion of his work, ranging from the thoughtful renovation, repair and extension of historic properties to new houses and major urban master planning schemes (including Poundbury, the experimental urban expansion). Underpinning George’s career is a meticulous attention to detail and a deep engagement with architectural history and classical modes of practice, drawing on classical proportion and a traditional architectural language. George’s oeuvre stakes claim for his belief in the country house model as an answer to the pressing architectural concerns of our age: lasting construction over the temporary, the natural and local over the synthetic, and craft over industrial uniformity. Applied to contemporary homes beyond historic estates, the philosophy of the English country house tradition promises the endurance, practicality, adaptability and sustainability that remains largely absent from contemporary development and urban planning. This talk coincides with the release of George’s new book The Romance of Classicism: Designing the English Country Home for Today (Rizzoli, 2026).
Organised by Dr Kyle Leyden, Lecturer in Early Modern Architecture and Visual Culture and the Courtauld Architecture Society.
Speaker
George Saumarez Smith is one of the foremost classical architects of the present day, whose practice is grounded in deep study and meticulous attention to detail. Much of his inspiration comes from a lifelong appreciation and study of historic buildings and the techniques of classical design. After studying architecture at the University of Edinburgh, George began his career at the offices of Quinlan Terry. George joined ADAM Architecture in 2003, promptly becoming a director and developing one of the largest, most dynamic studios practising the classical tradition in Britain. George’s work ranges in scale, from new country houses and garden buildings to historic restorations and major urban planning schemes. Externally, George teaches and writes on subjects relating to classical and traditional architecture at the European Summer School in Classical Architecture, the Prince’s Foundation, the ICAA and the University of Notre Dame. He has published several books on architecture and exhibited at the RIBA and the Royal Academy. His book The Romance of Classicism was published by Rizzoli in September 2026.
