The John Shannon Conservation Award at the 2022 York Design Awards has been given to the restoration and remodelling of the Medieval York Guildhall, led by Burrell Foley Fischer.
Photograph © VINCI Construction UK
The Guildhall complex is owned by City of York Council and is made up of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings built around a large 15th-century Guild Hall. The refurbishment and remodelling has provided a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant creative businesses; combining events and exhibition space with state-of-the-art collaboration and co-working facilities in the heart of a historic and creative city, securing a sustainable future for one of its most iconic buildings.
The main hall suffered significant bomb damage during the second world war and since its reopening in 1960 had received only reactive repairs, putting the building at risk. The project has secured the future of the Guildhall complex, through the delivery of an economically viable and sustainable scheme. It has delivered a comprehensive (once in 100 years) refurbishment of the complex, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for its new use.
Photograph © VINCI Construction UK
Best practice conservation principles have been adopted, in terms of the approach to enhancing and better revealing the significance of the heritage assets, whilst incorporating modern servicing and amenity requirements. A Water Source Heat Pump provides sustainable green energy from the adjacent River Ouse, lowering running costs and reducing carbon emissions.
The works were completed successfully despite the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic and significant engineering challenges given the buildings unique location and heritage. The River Ouse was used to transport equipment and materials to site to avoid construction traffic in York’s narrow historic city centre streets.
Photograph © VINCI Construction UK
The University of York, through York Science Park Ltd, a partnership between the University and City of York Council, has taken a long-term lease on the historic buildings, to create a hub for business, enterprise and events. The new space is enabling the University to bring the innovation and support it offers to local business and enterprise into the heart of York, driving inclusive and sustainable growth in the City as it recovers from the pandemic.
By retaining the historic use of the council’s chamber and enhancing public access, the importance of the 600-year-old, direct relationship between the city’s governance, commerce, and culture are not just acknowledged, but remain intrinsically bound together in the future.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance said:
We are thrilled to win this award and well done to everyone who was shortlisted. That there was such a wide breadth of incredible projects highlights what a special city York is. This investment in an iconic York building was a once-in-a-generation project and it has been amazing to see what has been achieved. This was a huge team and partnership effort and saw us overcome numerous challenges, including the COVID pandemic, and I want to once again thank everyone who was involved. This project secured the future of this famous building and it has been fantastic to see the impact it has had already, with businesses moving in and lots of positive feedback.”
Photograph © VINCI Construction UK
York Design Awards celebrate and encourage good design in the city. Good architecture and sensitive building restoration play an important part in what makes York such a special place, routinely topping UK cities’ quality of life surveys. York Design Awards’ mission is to support that for the future and to encourage designers of new developments in the city to maintain the very highest standards – to create buildings and spaces that ‘delight’.
Chair of the York Design Awards judging panel Andy Davey, a senior partner at Simpson & Brown Architects, said:
“All the judges were greatly impressed by the quality and professionalism exhibited by this year’s entries. It proves yet again that York continues to inspire and foster good, uplifting architecture and sensitive design.”