FINE LINES

Architectural artist Roger FitzGerald on living in Sevenoaks, his new book about Kent’s buildings and working from photographs

- Diana Crampton

Queensborough Bridge and midtown Manhattan

In these times of emptied streets, it is unutterably comforting to study Roger FitzGerald’s beautiful dappled cityscapes, full of passers-by. Trained as an architect, Roger studied in Manchester, after an upbringing in Cambridge.

He had studied art at school, but this was not considered a serious pursuit. However, it was his architectural practises which led him into the art he does now.

Roger currently lives in Sevenoaks, where he moved from New Cross when he had a young family.

His house is architect-designed (his own) and his studio is an extension to the side. It is modern with a toplit display area and a small working area.

He has been there 25 years, commuting into London to an architects’ studio, where he works with about seven other people.

Of living in Kent, Roger says: “It is the best of all worlds; you can get to the West End in just an hour, while from home, I can walk into Knole Park. It’s brilliant to have that accessibility.”

He also enjoys cycling, although we agree that the roads are often too narrow and the surfaces poor.