Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum Building, Helmsley Architecture, North Yorkshire

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum

North Yorkshire Gothic Architecture, north England, UK design by Simpson & Brown Architects

2 Aug 2017

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum Building

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum

Design: Simpson & Brown Architects

Location: Helmsley, North Yorkshire, Northern England, UK

The aim of the project was to upgrade the museum building to meet modern curatorial standards, encourage visitors into the ruins, and improve facilities.

A glulam spruce central hall has been inserted into the existing L-shaped timber visitor centre.

Visually the new structural frame echoes the existing columns and arches of the abbey ruins. The frame gradually splays to reveal previously obscured views.

The frames are connected by CLT sheeting at roof level and a perimeter edge beam containing concealed lighting and services. These panels are exposed where possible and stained to match the mainframe.

The slot windows formed within the vertical CLT panels echo the local timber agricultural buildings and provide discreet views to the terrace. Off-site fabrication solved the problems of a restricted site and tight programme over winter.

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum, Helmsley – Building Information

Location: Helmsley
Architect: Simpson & Brown
Client/Owner: English Heritage
Structural Engineer: Dosser Group
Main Contractor/Builder: Simpson (York) Ltd
M&E: SDS Engineering Consultants
Quantity Surveyor: RNJ Partnership
Joinery Company/Wood Supplier: Cowley Timber & Partners
Wood Species: Scandinavian Spruce
Photography: Giles Rocholl Photography

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum Building images / information from Wood Awards

Simpson & Brown – based in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Wood Awards

Phone: +44 370 333 1181

Address: Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, Helmsley, York YO62 5LB, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

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photo © Tim Crocker