Auckland Castle Faith Museum
2020
Auckland Castle was the historic home of the Prince Bishops of Durham. It is one of the most important and best-preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe.
In 2012 it was taken over by a regional charity, The Auckland Project, and has been transformed into a faith, art and heritage destination of international significance.
The Faith Museum, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), houses a permanent collection representing 5000 years of worship in the British Isles from prehistory to the modern day. The new building stands above an art storage space.
The extension is located adjacent to the historic site of the old castle grange. Referencing the site’s history, we looked at the medieval tithe barn building type as inspiration for the character of the new building. The upper hall is a grand open space for the display of architectural fragments and large artefacts.
In addition to the restoration of 900-year-old Auckland Castle and the Faith Museum, the Trust is also redeveloping the 17th Century Walled Garden, a Mining Art Gallery, a Spanish Gallery and the Welcome Building nearby.