February 24 2023

Lincoln Cathedral visitor centre is among nine buildings shortlisted for the 2023 RIBA East Midlands Awards.

The £16m project was designed by Simpson & Brown Architects to improve the setting and visitor experience of the historic landmark. Situated on the site of a former 19th century Deanery attached to cloisters on the cathedral’s north side the fabric of the building has been sensitively updated to accommodate a refectory, community rooms, education centre and offices.

Connected directly to the cloister by a modern link building, that doubles as a shop and exhibition hall, the work has also permitted a fragile 12th century Romanesque frieze to be relocated to the new hall for additional protection.

In a statement Simpson & Brown wrote: “The main challenge has been to design a building of quality and stature in its own right, and of its own time, within the actual and metaphorical shadow of the adjacent Cathedral.”

The winning projects will be revealed later in the Spring.

All shortlisted buildings:

• Destination Longshaw by Architect Studio Gedye Ltd
• Dryden Enterprise Centre by Evans Vettori Architects
• Joules Head Office by Edge Kingsfield
• Pond by Jonathan Hendry Architects Ltd
• Maple Lodge by Levitate
• Museum of Making Derby Silk Mill by Bauman Lyons Architects Ltd
• Old Four Row by Daykin Marshall Studio
• Rural Retreat by Manea Kella

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 24 Feb 2023 at 11:06 AM

Visited recently: a lovely welcoming space

#2 Posted by Islands of sanity on 25 Feb 2023 at 16:31 PM

Just in case anyone is wondering, the visitor centre was £4m of the £16m total as I have been reliably informed.

#3 Posted by FHM on 7 Mar 2023 at 08:48 AM

The centre just won a "People's Award" at a recent public vote held by Lincoln City Council. Well done all those involved!

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