Clifford's Tower

by Hugh Broughton Architects and Martin Ashley Architects

Client English Heritage

Awards RIBA Yorkshire Award 2024, RIBA Conservation Award 2024 and RIBA Client of the Year 2024.

Clifford’s Tower, a remnant of York’s Royal Castle, was originally constructed by William the Conqueror in 1068 but was largely destroyed by an explosion in 1684. The roofless shell is a local and national landmark but needed urgent repair work to prevent further damage. English Heritage’s brief to the architects was therefore to conserve, improve accessibility, and help visitors interpret the history of the building.

The architects’ solution was to treat the structure as an archaeological artefact while using modern interventions to tell its story. Their sensitive restoration has transformed a dilapidated shell into an engaging and informative visitor experience. The project combines painstaking conservation of what remains of this ancient monument with a radical, unashamedly contemporary, freestanding structure that leads to a rooftop platform providing panoramic views across York.

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

Contractor Simpson (York) Ltd

Conservation Architects Martin Ashley Architects

Structural Engineer Ramboll

Sustainability Ramboll

Environmental / M&E Engineer Preston BARBER

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant RNJ

Interpretation Designer Drinkall Dean

Gross internal area in m² 715