Project Info
Client
York Minster
Location
Dean Gate and Minster Yard York
Completed
October 2024
Contact
April Pratt, Business Development
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Awards Won

Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber - Highly Commended - Regeneration & Conservation

NFB Construction Awards of Excellence - WINNER - Excellence in Educational Building

RIBAJ MacEwen Award 2026

Centre of Excellence

A first-of-its-kind project, establishing York Minster Precinct as a world-class centre for research, education and training in heritage stonemasonry. The initiative combines heritage craftsmanship with advanced digital technology, setting a benchmark for the preservation and advancement of traditional skills.

The Centre of Excellence comprises two key components. The Heritage Quad provides dedicated residential accommodation for six stonemasonry apprentices, alongside a workshop visible from the historic Bar Walls to allow public engagement with live trade activity. The building is architecturally sympathetic to its surroundings, with a sweeping Glulam roof that preserves uninterrupted views of York Minister. It has been designed with sustainability at its heart, featuring rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic panels, ASHPs and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, contributing to its high energy performance.  

The creation of the Technology hub involved the reordering of the Stoneyard and masons’ workshop to house a state-of-the-art, 5-axis CNC saw and band saw, in addition to a CAD office equipped with modern digital technology. The new workshop entrance and viewing gallery enables visitors to observe operations. The facility integrates low-carbon technologies, with approximately 80% of its energy generated via photovoltaic panels on the feature curved standing seam roof. Rainwater is collected, filtered and recycled to support the production process.

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