York Castle Museum To Undergo Major Redevelopment

York Castle Museum To Undergo Major Redevelopment

You can expect scaffolders in York to be very busy indeed over the next few weeks and months, with York Castle Museum about to undergo a major multi-million pound redevelopment, with the first phase seeing the creation of masterplan and concept designs in preparation for the funding campaign.

The York Museums Trust has outlined its objectives for the project, including establishing the museum as the home of a national collection of everyday life, creating a sense of place through heightened understanding of the history and archaeology of the site, providing a must-see experience, and delivering a high-quality architectural and landscape intervention that transforms the site into a destination in its own right.

Head of strategy, finance and corporate services Paul Lambert had this to say about the project and the team that has been appointed to the work: “The number of applicants for the project has been phenomenal; this was a very competitive appointment. We are thrilled that we now have our RIBA stage one design team in place and we look forward to working with them on the next steps in realising our ambitious plans for the museum.

“We are continuing to work closely with the City of York Council and English Heritage so that our plans enhance and complement the wider vision for the Castle Gateway area.”

Alison Brooks has now been named as the lead architect on the project, founded in 1996 and having developed an international reputation for its award-winning designs, which includes work on public buildings for the arts.

Recent projects carried out by the firm include the rejuvenation of the 800-year-old Cohen Quadrangle of Exeter College at the University of Oxford, as well as the creation of performing arts and business centre Quarterhouse in Folkestone.

York Castle Museum itself was first established by Dr Kirk the Collector, who throughout his life had collected so many objects of interest relating to vanishing ways of life that he needed to find a permanent and publicly accessible home for it all.

In 1935, Dr Kirk gave his collection to the City of York but carried on being personally invested in every part of his collections and the museum itself. All elements of the building work were overseen by him, from the colour of the walls the heating system – and even the entrance fee!

The museum first opened its doors on April 23rd 1938… St George’s Day. The museum was the first of its kind in Britain, with the focus to be on the objects themselves and being shown in their original context.

The original collection included everything from antique weapons and perambulators to horse bridles, hypodermic needles, potato dribblers and even a Tudor barge!

If you’ve got a construction project in York in the offing, get in touch with us here at Burflex today to see how we can help you get it off the ground.

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