York Centre of Excellence for heritage craft skills, Yorkshire Architecture News, English Building Design
York Minster Centre of Excellence Building News
6 November 2021
Tonkin Liu wins design competition for York Minster?s Centre of Excellence
Design: tonkin liu

York Minster Centre of Excellence Building Design
Tonkin Liu has won a competition to provide facilities that establish the York Minster Precinct as an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence for heritage craft skills.
Three architecture practices (confidential) submitted designs as part of an invited competition. The vision for a world-class centre for research, education, and training is a key element of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan.
The facilities include two buildings, the Heritage Quad and the Technology Hub. The ambition is for them to deliver training in skills vital to the ongoing cycle of repair, restoration and conservation and development of York Minster and other ancient buildings and monuments. Skills in ancient and modern craft techniques and processes will advance alongside one another, in buildings that house workshops, a state-of-the art 5 Axis CNC saw, a new band saw, and halls of residence.
The proposed Heritage Quad is set within a garden, and repurposes the structure of the existing U-shaped buildings. These are mirrored with a new wing to create a complete quad, a fitting typology for bringing together a community of craftspeople. Around a working courtyard garden, fa...