Auckland Castle, Tower and Faith Museum

by Níall McLaughlin and Purcell

Client The Auckland Project

Award RIBA North East Award 2024, RIBA North East Conservation Award 2024, RIBA North East Building of the Year Award 2024 (sponsored by EH Smith) and RIBA National Award 2024

Auckland Castle is a Grade I listed medieval episcopal palace which has been the seat of the Bishop of Durham for nearly a millennium. Sitting to the north of Bishop Auckland, it is nestled between the rivers Wear and Gaunless. Since acquiring the site in 2012, the Auckland Project has been transforming it into a centre for arts, culture, and heritage, for locals and visitors.

As part of the transformation, a collection of elements with differing forms and uses has been delivered. The Auckland Tower and Faith Museum, both by Níall McLaughlin Architects, are welcome new additions. The tower acts as a beacon for the town and gateway to the castle grounds, while the Faith Museum with its compelling barn-like form provides space for exhibition displays on faith in Britain. Painstaking conservation works to Auckland Castle by Purcell help safeguard its historic fabric for future generations.

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal.

Contractor Meldrum

Lead Consultant, Heritage Consultant & Architect for the Castle Purcell

Structural Engineer The Morton Partnership

Environmental / M&E Engineer TGA Consulting Engineers

Landscape Architect Pip Morrison

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant Thornton Firkin

Lighting Consultant Sutton Vane Associates

Building Control Bureau Veritas

Stone Masonry Classic Masonry

Gross internal area in m2 4,189