Tonkin Liu wins approval for £5m York Minster craft skills centre

Tonkin Liu has been handed planning consent for two educational buildings at York Minster aimed at keeping alive traditional craft skillsDouble Stephen Lawrence Prize-winner Tonkin Liu won the job following an invited contest last year.The submitted scheme includes two buildings within the wider York Minster precinct – a Heritage Quad and a Works and Technology Hub – which will house workshops, CNC equipment and accommodation for those involved in the ongoing cycle of repair, restoration and development at the Minster.The proposed heritage quad repurposes an existing U-shaped block behind 2 Minster Court between the city wall and the cathedral, adding a new wing below a green-roofed timber structure to create a complete quad.Set around a working courtyard garden, the quad will be used by masons, scaffolders, gardeners, apprentices and researchers, as well as visitors.The second building, the technology hub, will overhaul brick-built workshops to the south of the cathedral and also features a timber roof.According to the practice , the scheme will create ‘an inspiring workshop that improves the daily workings of the different teams and showcases advanced digital machinery’.The studio has previously stated that photovoltaic panels and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) would provide the electricity for the day-time use of the machines in the workshop and that it was aiming for operational net zero carbon.Alex McCallion, director of works and precinct at York Minster, said the approval for the plans was a vital step in help to preserve ‘the ancient craft skills necessary to secure the future of the Minster’.He said: ‘These skills have long been the life blood to the fabric of York Minster and the creation of the centre of excellence will enable us to continue to develop and pass down these skills with the help of modern digital technology.‘This is also a major project for the city and will continue to raise our profile not only as a leading international city for heritage and education, but also a city that is forward-looking.’Councillor and planning committee member Rachel Melly was reported by the BBC as saying: ‘I’m always nervous about developments so close to the city walls and the setting of the Minster and so many other heritage buildings, but I think this is done well and it clearly would have really significant benefits in terms of education and heritage.’Work on the project, which is supported by the York Minster Fund, could begin on site early next year, with the new facilities becoming operational in early 2024.Local authority City of York Council Client The Chapter of York Architect Tonkin Liu Heritage architect Donald Insall Associates Landscape architect Nigel Dunnett Planning consultant Savills Structural engineer Webb Yates M&E consultant Seam Quantity surveyor Gardner & Theobald Principal designer Tonkin Liu Lighting consultant Seam Main contractor To be appointed (ITT Autumn 2022) Funding The York Minster Fund Tender date September 2022 Start on site January 2023 Completion Projected early 2024 Contract duration 14 months Gross internal floor area m² TBC Form of contract Traditional Annual CO2 emissions York Minster is targeting low carbon by 2030 Total cost £5 million