Design Challenge:

The Guildhall has been at the heart of City governance since its construction in the mid fifteenth century. Over time, and through various phases of building the complex has expanded and evolved. It is currently occupied by the local authority, City of York Council, but in 2013 the council will move from 16 separate offices across the City, including the Guildhall into a new headquarters building. This new HQ has secured the future of York’s first railway station, a grade II* listed building, through a sensitive conversion scheme requiring significant contemporary additions to create the necessary accommodation.

The City is now keen to ensure that the future of the complex is similarly secured. This is important, because very soon a large part of the complex will no longer be in active use and the significance of these heritage assets is such that identifying new uses is a priority. The Council has committed to this competition process to explore the future potential of the complex and is calling for fresh and innovative thinking. The council appreciates that new ideas can very often highlight previously unseen potential. Furthermore, the City of York Council is committed to positive change and seeing the ideas which emerge taken forward to deliver a new range of viable new uses for the complex.

For more information and to enter, go to:

www.ribacompetitions.com/yorkriverside/index.html