Auckland Tower
2017
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.