Camden New Journal - Obituaries: Michael Bench

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - OBITUARY
Published: 16 July 2009

Michael Bench

Architect who fought for the image of Hampstead

MICHAEL Bench, who has died aged 83, was a celebrated architect who spent many years defending Hampstead from unsympathetic building projects and safeguarding the integrity of the area’s environment through his chairmanship of the Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
Mr Bench was born in Birmingham and studied at the city’s School of Architecture. He did his National Service in the Royal Navy between 1948 and 1951 before a post-graduate thesis in planning at the University of London.
His background knowledge came from both living in Hampstead for many years and his professional training. Mr Bench lived in Fitzjohns Avenue and East Heath Road, and although he eventually moved across the Heath to settle in Dartmouth Park, he never stopped working to protect Hampstead: up to his final days he still carefully combed through the 500-plus planning applications received each year for his old patch, gauging the comments of his fellow committee members and sending in well-crafted objections where necessary. As an architect trained in the mid-20th century, he was aware of the competing pressures of the area’s Georgian streets and the urge for modernism, shown through Erno Goldfinger’s home in Willow Road and later the Hopkins glass and steel house built in Downshire Hill.
Mr Bench loved good modern design and respected the traditional, rejecting a dogmatic approach and approaching planning cases individually on their own merits.
For much of his career the pull of municipal projects loomed large: he worked for Coventry’s civic architects department – a job with much kudos considering the city’s rebuilding following bombing during the Second World War – and then project managed the rebuilding of Greenwich District Hospital.
Away from his career, friends recall the enthusiasm Mr Bench brought to everything he turned his hand to: his charm was well known, his sense of humour put people at ease and he endlessly made friends with his manner.
Other passions included fine wines and Mr Bench’s cellar was regularly opened to share with guests. His voluntary work has helped preserve and enhance Hampstead.
DAN CARRIER

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» Obituaries A-Z