Private homes, educational facilities and a bridge are among the winners that recognise York’s best architecture.

More than 150 people enjoyed the York Design Awards, which were held last night (Mon) at the Guildhall.

Top honours went to the York Scarborough Cycle and Pedestrian Bridge, which received the ‘best of the best’ Lord Mayor’s Award along with the award for Public Realm/Open Space. 

The new bridge by York railway station replaces a 170-year-old river crossing with a wide modern accessible bridge for pedestrians, cycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs.

The Anne Lister & David Kato Student Accommodation for 1480 students at the University of York also received two awards: Residential Multiple Dwellings and Public Realm/Open Space recognising the design of the gardens and lawns and the way in which the existing lakes and wild nature have been incorporated. 

Another double award winner was the Digital Skills Academy, an extension to the Learning Resource Centre at Askham Bryan College in the Commercial/Community category and the Sustainability category. The building maximises natural light and ventilation and includes sedum matting and oak, York stone paving, zinc and handmade bricks.

A large number of privately-owned homes entered this year’s awards with Skelton Hall and 7 Tower Street both receiving two awards each.

7 Tower Street overlooks Clifford's Tower and forms part of a Victorian-era residential townhouse dating back to the mid-late 19th century. It had been converted into offices but the Grade II listed townhouse has now been restored into a more contemporary home which will be commercially rented.  It was awarded the commercial/community award and the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by the York Press, and voted for by members of the public.

Skelton Hall is a late Georgian Grade II listed country house that has been painstakingly restored.  It won awards in the Conservation and the Residential Single Dwelling categories.

Chair of the York Design Awards committee Ann Reid said: “Congratulations to all our 2023 award winners. The judges were impressed with the standard of design and delighted that so many projects entered the awards this year.  It’s reassuring to see the high quality of new buildings and restored  projects in the city.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors, without whom the York Design Awards simply wouldn’t be able to run in the way that they do, and most importantly the people and organisations who entered.”

The York Design Awards launches every February with entries submitted for judging in May. The awards are organised by a committee of volunteers.

The full list of 2023 York Design Award winners is:

Commercial or Community (Small)

Digital Skills Academy, Askham Bryan College

Client/Developer: Askham Bryan College

Architect/Designer: Evans McDowell Architects

Builder: Ashcourt Group

 

7 Tower Street

Client/Developer: Integra Property Management

Architect/Designer: Fining Associates

Builder: York Builder

 

Commercial or Community (Large)

Wilberforce House

Client/Developer: Wilberforce Trust

Architect/Designer: KS Architects

Builder: William Birch & Sons

 

Residential (Single Dwelling)

The Homestead, Bishopthorpe

Client/Developer: Jo Bennett (Owner)

Architect/Designer: Arkle Boyce Architects

Builder: CG Building & Restoration

 

Ferry Cottage, Bishopthorpe

Client/Developer: Tony Loftus

Architect/Designer: Shaw & Jagger Architects

Builder: York Builder

 

Skelton Hall

Client/Developer: Tom Sermon

Architect/Designer: Bramhall Blenkharn Leonard

Builder: Paul Thompson

 

Residential (Multiple Dwellings)

Anne Lister & David Kato Student Accommodation

Client/Developer: University of York

Architect/Designer: Sheppard Robson

Builder: GRAHAM Group

 

Public Realm/Open Space

York Scarborough Bridge

Client/Developer: Network Rail

Architect/Designer: Network Rail Design Delivery

Builder: Amco-Giffen

 

Anne Lister & David Kato Student Accommodation

Client/Developer: University of York

Architect/Designer: Sheppard Robson

Builder: GRAHAM Group

 

Conservation Award

Skelton Hall

Client/Developer: Tom Sermon

Architect/Designer: Bramhall Blenkharn Leonard

Builder: Paul Thompson

 

The Georgian Townhouse, Walmgate

Client/Developer: Beth Davies

Architect/Designer: Walker Graham Architects

Builder: Ebor Construction

 

Sustainability Award

Digital Skills Academy, Askham Bryan College

Client/Developer: Askham Bryan College

Architect/Designer: Evans McDowell Architects

Builder: Ashcourt Group

 

Young People’s Award

Foss Bridge House

Client/Developer: Owners

Architect/Designer: ONE17 Design, Will Slack Architecture & Design

Builder: Various trades – self-managed

 

The Press People’s Choice Award

7 Tower Street

Client/Developer: Integra Property Management

Architect/Designer: Fining Associates

Builder: York Builder

 

Lord Mayor’s Award

York Scarborough Bridge

Client/Developer: Network Rail

Architect/Designer: Network Rail Design Delivery

Builder: Amco-Giffen

 

Find out more about the York Design Awards at www.yorkdesignawards.org.