The Achitects

The Bedford Park Society (registered charity)

The Architects of Bedford Park- is under construction

Maurice B Adams

Born in 1849, died in 1933: Maurice Bingham Adams saw the founding of Bedford Park, lived there during its aesthetic heyday, than watched its sad decline between the two world wars.

He had a grandstand view from his editorial chair at the Building News, but as an architect and long-time resident

he was constantly switching roles between observer and participant.

When the first houses went up by Turnham Green Station in 1875, Building News was quick to criticise Jonathan Carr’s original architect, Edward J Godwin. However, Maurice Adams seems to have been won over to the concept because from 1896 onwards it was his drawings of Bedford Park houses that illustrated a string of articles about the new suburb.

He joined Building News in 1872, having trained in Brighton and then become architect to the borough council. He’s variously been described as editor, technical editor and architectural editor, but whatever his title he remained there for over 50 years, combining the role with a private practice and various honorary posts. As a result he had an unrivalled network of contacts in the profession.

He came to Bedford Park in 1878, settling first at 14 Woodstock Road. In 1901 he moved to Edenhurst at 1 Marlborough Crescent. Originally designed by Norman Shaw, the detached house with its gables

and scalloped hanging tiles was probably adapted by its new occupier. Sadly, it was demolished by Acton

Council in the early 1960s, just before the newly-formed Bedford Park Society succeeded in having the houses

listed. The site is now occupied by a block of flats called St James Court.

In 1880 Maurice Adams designed 12 and 14 Newton Grove (the former being the home of the Society’s late co-founder, Tom Greeves) for the artist J C Dollman. Both homes had elaborately carved porches and plaster gables, while the larger (no 14), incorporated a studio on the first floor.

The following year his School of Art opened in Bath Road. Featuring five Queen Anne style pedimented gables, it

was not a particularly successful design; but it was doubtless better than his first effort, which apparently had to be sent to Norman Shaw to be pulled together. Destroyed by a flying bomb during World War II, it was replaced by Chiswick Polytechnic and is now the Arts Educational School.

He also designed 5 Priory Avenue, and it's possible that he drew up plans for some of the smaller, cottage-style

houses in Bedford Park, as seen in Marlborough Crescent, 35 Queen Anne's Grove and 12 Blenheim Road.

His Church Hall, which fits in so harmoniously with Norman Shaw’s church,

was built in 1887. At the same time he completed the church’s north aisle, and

he also designed the font and pulpit. In 1909 he added the rather Gothic style chapel of All Souls.

During his years in Bedford Park he seems to have amassed various properties.

His will mentions numbers 5, 23 and 41 Priory Road (now Avenue), 2 Addison Road, 33 Marlborough Crescent and 14 Woodstock Road.

He designed various buildings round London, including almshouses in Chiswick, and restored All Saints, South Acton, as well as fulfilling commissions in the United States and Australia.

In addition, he published several architectural books, one co-authored with Norman Shaw and another with E J Godwin.

Maurice Bingham Adams.1849-1933

He was married for 60 years to Emily, who died in 1927. Of his six daughters and one son, only four survived him.

Despite his close links with St Michael and All Angels he was first churchwarden there his funeral was held at Chiswick Parish Church, and he is buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Jonathan T. Carr

Jonathan Carr was the driving force behind the Bedford Park development

Edwin W Godwin

The first estate architect was E W Godwin

E J May

E J May

R Norman Shaw

R Norman Shaw is perhaps the architect most associated with Bedford Park

The Tabard Inn was designed by R Norman Shaw

The Vicarage, St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park