Tonkin Liu Completes Glulam Facilities for York Minster Restoration
New timber structures provide specialized workshops to accelerate cathedral conservation efforts.
1New Heritage Craft Center
London-based architecture studio Tonkin Liu has completed two timber buildings flanking the historic York Minster. Named The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills, the project provides essential facilities for stonemasons. These structures, the Heritage Quad and the Technology Hub, represent the first new buildings constructed with historical precedent in a century.
2Accelerating Cathedral Conservation
The project aims to significantly speed up the restoration of the Grade I-listed Gothic cathedral. Mike Tonkin, co-founder of the studio, noted that climate change is accelerating the degradation of the stone structure. These new facilities are expected to advance conservation efforts by four decades over the course of the next century.
3Heritage Quad Workshop Design
The Heritage Quad repurposes existing structures near medieval city walls to house workshops and apprentice accommodation. Constructed using glued-laminated timber and plywood, the building features a roof that channels rainwater into tanks. A central courtyard provides stonemasons with a framed view of the cathedral, while tilting roof sections allow public visibility into workshops.
4Technology Hub Digital Integration
Located on the opposite side of the cathedral, the triangular Technology Hub integrates digital stone-cutting tools. The structure utilizes steel and glulam, topped with a photovoltaic roof. Arched windows rise from the roof to maximize natural light, while the building's height is constrained by local planning restrictions and internal gantry crane requirements.
5Structural Geometry and Light
Tonkin Liu designed both buildings to align with the ecclesiastical tradition of celebrating structure, geometry, and light. The Heritage Quad’s roof forms an arch that mirrors the cathedral’s perpendicular Gothic character. Meanwhile, the Technology Hub’s trusses radiate toward the transept, maintaining a symbolic and physical relationship with the historic site’s architectural heritage.
6Materiality and Site Context
The architects deliberately chose timber for the new facilities to distinguish them from the cathedral itself. Mike Tonkin emphasized that stone is reserved exclusively for the Minster. By using glulam, the firm created a modern intervention that respects the historic setting while providing the necessary infrastructure for contemporary heritage craft preservation work.
7Planning and Spatial Constraints
The project required close collaboration with Historic England and local planning authorities to ensure compliance. The Technology Hub’s triangular plan was specifically set back from boundary walls to preserve sightlines from neighboring houses. These spatial decisions ensure the new construction does not obstruct views of the cathedral while fulfilling its functional requirements.
8Industry Recognition and Impact
The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills has been shortlisted in the mixed-use category of the Dezeen Awards. This project highlights the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and modern digital fabrication. By providing specialized tools and spaces, the development ensures that the skills required to maintain historic landmarks remain viable for future generations.