Wythenshawe Hall named winner in 2021 Civic Trust Awards

The restoration of Grade II* listed Wythenshawe Hall has been selected as one of only six national projects in the 2021 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award, after being named a regional finalist in November.

Grade II* listed Wythenshawe Hall dates from the 1540s and was originally home to the Tattons, one of Cheshire’s noble families. In 2016, the hall was victim to an arson attack and was extensively damaged in the ensuing fire, with significant loss of fabric in some of the oldest parts of the building.

Throughout the three-year restoration programme, our approach was underpinned by a bespoke conservation philosophy, tailored to the building and its historic significance, while responding to the fingerprint left by the fire.

Wherever possible, surviving historic features were retained and repaired with bespoke remedial solutions used to strengthen at-risk features. Where no structural integration remained, the decision was made to introduce new structures, with a purposeful choice in material ensuring that new can clearly be read against the original.

Each stage of the restoration was informed by extensive research and analysis commissioned and managed by the practice, including plaster surveys, paint analysis, stained glass analysis, mortar analysis, plaster make-up analysis and dry-rot surveys and monitoring.

The project will receive either an Award or be Highly Commended which will be revealed at the 'virtual' 62nd Annual Civic Trust Awards Ceremony on Friday 5th March.

Established in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards is the longest standing built environment awards scheme in Europe. The aim of the Civic Trust Awards is to encourage the very best in architecture and environmental design, to improve the built environment for us all through design, sustainability, inclusiveness and accessibility, but also to reward projects that offer a positive cultural, social, economic or environmental benefit to their local communities.