BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2016
FEBRUARY 2016
Preparations for Biennale Architettura 2016 have begun in earnest: concepts advanced; collaborators recruited; designs developed. Niall and Yeoryia (Manolopoulou, of AY Architects) have met with a number of experts on the subject of dementia and design, including scientists at UCL; the Centre Manager at the Alzheimer’s Centre in Dublin; the Vice-Chair of the European Working Group of People with Dementia and experts from the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling. We are excited by the emerging details of the various elements of this year’s exhibition, and look forward to unveiling our contribution in May.
AUCKLAND CASTLE COMPETITION WIN
FEBRUARY 2014
Niall McLaughlin Architects and Purcell have won the competition to transform Auckland Castle in County Durham into a national museum of religion and religious art. The former historic home of the bishops of Durham, the castle is considered to be the third most historically significant ecclesiastical complex in Europe, after the Vatican and Avignon. Auckland Castle was bought by businessman and philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer who aims to turn it into a major visitor attraction and heritage site in the North East. The client hopes to receive funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in support of the project and set up the Auckland Castle Trust to oversee the restoration and development of the castle and grounds. The central attraction will be the rare paintings by Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán, considered to be some of the most significant religious treasures in Europe and part of the castle’s history for more than 250 years.
Auckland Castle Website