Auckland Tower
Auckland Castle was the historic home of the Prince Bishops of Durham. It is one of the most important and best-preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe.
In 2012 it was taken over by regional charity, The Auckland Project, and is now being transformed into a faith, art and heritage destination of international significance.
Níall McLaughlin Architects were commissioned to design two parts of the scheme: the Welcome Building – a new ticketing and information hub with a viewing tower – and, in collaboration with Purcell, a new extension to the existing Scotland Wing of the Grade I listed castle complex to house the Faith Museum.
Auckland Castle is approached from the Bishop Auckland market place. The site for the Welcome Building provides a connection between the carriageway of the castle complex and the market place itself.
The building consists of a long hall, reminiscent of a market hall, and a tower offering views out over the Castle, the town, and the parkland that flanks it.
AWARDS
European Mies Van Der Rohe Award NominationRIBA National Award
RIBA Regional Award
RIBA North East Building of the Year
RIBA North East Conservation Award
Honourable Mention in the European Category of the Gubbio Prize