Auckland Castle, Durham Conservation Project, English Building Development, UK Architecture Images

Auckland Castle in Durham

Visitors Attraction Building in England – design by Purcell

13 Jul 2017

Auckland Castle in Durham Building

Architects: Purcell

Location: County Durham, northeast England

Purcell is lead consultant and conservation-accredited architects working on 900-year-old Auckland Castle

Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland will be returned to its original Georgian Gothic opulence on behalf of regional charity, Auckland Castle Trust (ACT).

The scheme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will establish full accessibility to the Castle’s high status State Rooms, which will be conserved and refurbished to tell the story of the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham who lived on the site from the 12th century until 2011.

The Castle complex also includes an extension to Auckland Castle’s Scotland Wing, designed by Niall McLaughlin, which will house a new museum exploring the history of faith in the British Isles – The Faith Museum.

Incorporating new visitor facilities, the buildings will feature bespoke air-management systems to ensure the care of the extensive collection items and artworks on show.

Work is being carried out by Meldrum Construction Services, managed by construction management consultancy, Turner & Townsend.

With experience of designing in complex and sensitive contexts, the Purcell team is able to overcome the significant heritage challenges through an intimate understanding of the Castle site. By working in close partnership with Historic England and Durham County Council, the design solutions ensure a sustainable future for the site, for the benefit of generations to come.

‘Purcell is immensely proud to be leading one of the most ambitious and exciting heritage projects that has taken place in the Northeast for decades. Through the vision of Auckland Castle Trust and its Chairman, Jonathan Ruffer, the site will be transformed into a world-class visitor destination that will continue to act as a platform for social and economic regeneration throughout County Durham and beyond.’ Dr Alexander Holton, Associate, Purcell

The restoration of Auckland Castle, which is due for completion in Spring 2018, is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Sir James Knott Trust, The Charles Hayward Foundation, The Headley Trust, The Linbury Trust, The Rothschild Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust and the Overstone Fund. The Faith Museum is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Jerusalem Trust.

Both form part of a wider £70m programme by Auckland Castle Trust, designed to revitalise Bishop Auckland, create opportunities for training and skills development and boost the local economy.

Auckland Castle in Durham images / information received 130717

Location: Durham University, Northeast England, UK
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