Living Tradition: The Architecture and Urbanism of Hugh Petter

- For the first time, Hugh Petter - one of the most successful traditional architects of his generation - reveals the journey behind the buildings he has designed and collaborated on. This book showcases his portfolio, from thoughtful renovations of country houses, to inspiring new builds, to innovative sustainable town planning

- Newly commissioned photography by Dylan Thomas

- The story of Hugh’s career told by Clive Aslet

Living Tradition: The Architecture and Urbanism of Hugh Petter celebrates the exceptional professional achievement of one of the world’s leading traditional architects. It showcases recent highlights from Hugh’s award-winning portfolio, including handsome new country houses; major alterations and refurbishment of historic buildings; a significant new building for Trinity College in Oxford; and commercial development at all scales with landed estates across the UK and beyond. His pioneering work as master-planner for the Duchy of Cornwall is regularly cited as an exemplar of a community that reflects local identity. Written by Clive Aslet, with a foreword by The Former Prince of Wales, this book reveals how a series of iconic buildings came to be. Richly illustrated with newly commissioned photography by Dylan Thomas, one of Britain’s foremost photographers of architecture and interiors, this book reveals the working process of the architect. Common to all the buildings in this book - whether a new or historic private house, a public building, or a masterwork of urban design - is a loving attention to detail and materials, and an architect who cares deeply for his craft.

Hugh Petter is one of the most vigorous architects and urban designers of his generation. His work is defined by a broad interest in tradition as an evolving phenomenon - hence the title of this book. Graduating with distinction in 1990, he was twice Rome Scholar in Architecture before returning to ADAM Architecture where he has been a director since 1997. Hugh’s unusually broad career embraces not only design, but writing, teaching, and public speaking on diverse aspects of the built environment. His roles have included senior tutor at The Prince of Wales’s Institute of Architecture; trustee and chairman of The Art Workers’ Guild; member of the Faculty of the Fine Arts at the British School at Rome; trustee and vice chairman of The Georgian Group; trustee of The Prince’s Foundation; member of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on Planning; and governor of the Building Crafts College. His varied portfolio of projects embraces new and historic private houses of all scales; public and institutional buildings; and urban design. Woven through all this work, and his wider charitable contribution, is his determination to lead by example in understanding the past to unlock innovative and more sustainable ways of planning for the future; encouraging the next generation of master craftsmen and traditional designers; improving our appreciation of historic buildings; and pioneering innovative and collaborative ways of creating popular and enduring new places. He has won numerous awards and his work is regularly cited in books, articles and Government publications. Hugh and his wife Chloe have two grown up children, Harry and Charlotte.