Eight award-winning buildings you should visit

Do you love to visit inspiring architecture? Eight Purcell projects have been recognised this year for excellence thanks to our studios across the United Kingdom that design and implement innovative architectural schemes. Travel the country and discover the treasures of UK architecture.

From the RIBA award-winning restoration of Durham Cathedral, to the RICS project of the year Aerospace Bristol, Purcell is delighted to have won twenty awards in 2018 (so far) for eight projects around the UK. In this list, we’ve included projects from far and wide. Take a look at the renovation of a poet’s house in rural Wales or the conservation of an Irish botanical building for exotic plants. Here’s a round-up of our latest award-winning projects to visit.

Durham Cathedral Open Treasure

Durham Cathedral is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England. The project has created a range of awe-inspiring spaces to display the cathedral collections, creatively using the claustral buildings. Taking more than three years to complete, Open Treasure has made the hidden spaces of the UNESCO World Heritage Site open to visitors for the first time. Read more...

Awards

RIBA National award for cultural buildings

RIBA North East Building of the Year 2018

RIBA North East Regional award

RIBA North East Conservation award

Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol is a museum that weaves a once active airfield back into Bristol. It has created a base for learning to inspire the next generation of engineers whilst, spurring a curiosity for aviation in those of all ages. Purcell were appointed to transform the listed WWI aircraft hangars into a first-class aviation heritage museum. Bristol has been named as the museum destination of the year 2018 with Aerospace Bristol at the top of the list; adding to a culture rich programme already present in this city steeped in history. Read more...

Awards

RICS South West, Tourism and Leisure award

RICS South West, Project of the Year 2018 award

Michelmore Property Awards, Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year 2018

Bristol Civic Society Award, 2018

St Fagans National Museum of History, Wales

St Fagans is an open air museum with a complex of many Welsh buildings. The largest is the brutalist building of St Fagans by Percy Thomas, designed in the 1960s and finished in 1975. Using our experience in twentieth century heritage architecture, Purcell worked on the restoration, extension and redevelopment to create new galleries, learning studios, spaces for hospitality and retail, improved orientation and a new entrance to the award-winning building. Enjoy a stroll around the many inspiring spaces of this progressive modern architecture. Read more...

Awards

RICS Wales Tourism and Leisure award

National Eisteddfod Gold Medal

Yr Ysgwrn, Wales

Yr Ysgwrn is a cultural symbol for the people of Wales. The simple nineteenth century farmstead represents the life and achievements of one of Wales’ most famous poets, Ellis Humphrey Evans who is better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn. Purcell was appointed as the lead consultant to explore a sympathetic strategy, design and oversee the delivery of the project of the innovative museum and visitor destination. Read more...

Awards

RICS Wales Building Conservation award

RSAW (RIBA Wales) Welsh Architecture of the Year

RSAW (RIBA Wales) Conservation award

RSAW (RIBA Wales) Project Architect of the Year

RSAW (RIBA Wales) Building of the Year

Tropical Ravine, Northern Ireland

From a languishing botanical building to a must-see attraction, Purcell heritage consultants collaborated with Hall Black Douglas Architects for the spectacular renovation of the Tropical Ravine. The listed Victorian building in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens has been restored and transformed. Built in 1880, the ravine is home to some of the world’s oldest plants with an important collection conserving rare and tropical species. Read more...

Awards

RICS Building Conservation award

RICS Northern Ireland Project of the Year

Delapré Abbey, Northampton

With twelfth century Convent origins, Grade II* listed Delapré Abbey was converted to a country house in the sixteenth century. Purcell worked on the careful repair and conservation to restore the fine historic interiors to the principle rooms. The project brings substantial parts of the abbey and outbuildings back into public use as an events space and visitor asset, ensuring its sustainable future. Read more...

Awards

RICS Midlands Building Conservation award

Canterbury Cathedral Great South Window, Kent

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. Purcell led the conservation of Canterbury Cathedral, a Grade I listed world heritage site and scheduled ancient monument. The restoration of the 55ft high 1420s stained glass south transept window required extensive work over seven years. Holding precious mediaeval glass, including the 12 century ‘Ancestors of Christ’, it’s a marvel to see in person. Read more...

Awards

RICS South East Building Conservation award

John Wesley’s New Room, Bristol

John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol has been an active part of local, national, and international religious and social culture since its inception in 1739 at the birth of methodism. Purcell designed a new extension within the existing courtyard for an education suite, an administration hub and an enlarged library and archive facility. Coincide your visit with an activity from its varied and exciting events programme. Read more...

Awards

LABC Bristol Excellence Best Public Services building