Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, ArchClifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior PhotographyClifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Facade, BeamClifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Beam, HandrailClifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - More Images+ 23

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Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, Arch
© Dirk Lindner

Text description provided by the architects. Hugh Broughton Architects and English Heritage’s project to safeguard the future of Clifford’s Tower in York has completed and will open to the public on 2 April 2022. The project, which was designed by Hugh Broughton Architects working with conservation specialists Martin Ashley Architects, includes vital conservation works as well as architectural improvements which enhance the visitor experience.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography
© Dirk Lindner
Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Image 23 of 28
Site Plan

Clifford’s Tower crowns the earthwork mound raised by William the Conqueror in 1068. For centuries it was the keep and chief strongpoint of York Castle. At first, there was a timber tower here, where the most notorious event in the history of the castle took place in 1190, when the Jews of York, who had taken refuge in the tower, died in tragic circumstances.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Facade, Handrail
© Dirk Lindner

The stone tower was built soon afterward and was used as a treasury and royal exchequer. In the 17th century, a fire destroyed the interior of the tower, and the building was reduced to a shell. The mound at Clifford’s Tower was later cut back and a large retaining wall was built around it. In 1935, the lower slopes of the mound were reconstructed.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Facade, Beam
© Dirk Lindner
Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Beam, Handrail
© Dirk Lindner
Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Image 27 of 28
Section AA

In addition to conservation works to the historic fabric, the project has made a series of improvements to the tower, with a particular focus on creating an inspiring and sensitively designed interpretation scheme within the tower. Developed through an extensive process of public consultation, the design scheme features a new timber deck that partially covers the ruin and is supported on four soaring timber columns.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography
© Dirk Lindner

The deck includes amphitheater seating for a group activity, with a series of lightweight walkways suspended from its structure which gives access to previously unseen first-floor features and doubles the access to the roof level through the restoration of two bartizan vices. The chapel has also been restored, with stonework cleaned, unsightly timber bracing removed, and the roof repaired and re-clad in clay tiles.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Brick, Beam, Arch, Column
© Dirk Lindner

Access to the tower has been enhanced through improvements to the existing stair up the motte. Three resting places have been created, allowing people to pull off to the side of the stair, pause, and sit down. A newly enlarged public area at the base of the motte incorporates interpretation, accommodates an English Heritage-branded Piaggio tuk-tuk (auto-rickshaw) for the sale of tickets and guidebooks, and offers a ground-level place to engage with visitors, including those unable to ascend to the tower.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Interior Photography, Windows
© Chris Ison

The project has been commissioned by a female-led team at English Heritage, headed by Andrea Selley, Rachael Baldwin, and Ruth Haycock, and delivered by a female led-design team, with the project leads including Imogen Softley Pierce from Hugh Broughton Architects, Francesca Basso from Martin Ashley Architects, Faye Newham from Ramboll, Sue Preston from Preston Barber, Angela Drinkall from Drinkall Dean and Kirsten Heckmueller from RNJ.

Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects - Exterior Photography
© Dirk Lindner

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Project location

Address:Tower St, York YO1 9SA, United Kingdom

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Clifford's Tower / Hugh Broughton Architects" 27 Apr 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/980884/cliffords-tower-hugh-broughton-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Dirk Lindner

英国八百年遗迹修复,克利福德塔 / Hugh Broughton Architects

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