BFF’s refurbishment and extension of York Guildhall has won the 2023 ‘Conservation and Regeneration Award’ at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards.
Organised by the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University, the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards focus attention on some of the most important issues in the construction sector and showcase the organisations, teams and projects across the region that are delivering excellence, driving change and inspiring others to adopt new and better ways of working.
“The judges were impressed by the range of contemporary uses the Guildhall complex now supports, and how the buildings have been sympathetically restored to create community provision whilst still allowing for its original medieval purpose as a location for Council and Civic Events. This project demonstrates that even on constrained sites buildings can be refurbished and remodelled to meet contemporary standards and sets an example to the rest to consider retrofit instead of demolition.”
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 Guildhall. The refurbishment and remodelling provides a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant 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, and securing an economically viable and sustainable future for one of its most iconic buildings.
The project has delivered a comprehensive (once in 100 years) refurbishment of one of York’s most prestigious and historically significant buildings, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for its new use. 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, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The River Ouse was used to transport materials to and from the site to avoid construction traffic in York's narrow city centre streets. Due to the Guildhall's central riverside location, the Canal & River Trust enabled contractors to use the river to erect an on-site Tower Crane and provide access for deliveries, which would otherwise be impossible via road. Use of the river has also reduced road deliveries into the heart of the city. Over 1,000 river deliveries were made through the contract period to bring in equipment and materials. When heavy construction work at the site finished, a tower crane onsite was dismantled by a separate 100 tonne crane that worked from the river.
As the winner of the Yorkshire and Humber Award, York Guildhall will now compete against the winners in each of the regions across the country at the National Awards, to be held in London later this year.