Donald Insall Associates has conserved and transformed Hardwick Old Hall in York, England.

Following conservation works by Donald Insall Associates, Grade I-listed Hardwick Old Hall is safely open to the public for the first time in five years.

Following English Heritage's Sustainable Conservation Strategy & Asset Management Plan principles, the project stabilised the active decay mechanism and reduced the ongoing maintenance requirements through more radical interventions while still preserving much of the 16th-century historical fabric.

This project represents a significant development for heritage conservation, demonstrating the possibility of more radical interventions sensitively protecting history – while reducing the need for regular repair and maintenance.

This project has been longlisted in the heritage project category of Dezeen Awards 2024.

Studio: Donald Insall Associates
Project: Hardwick Old Hall
Credits: English Heritage, Historic Engineering, RNJ Partnership, Mason Clark, British Geological Society, Skillington Workshop, Philip Gaches, Tim Floyd, Allen Archaeology and David Archer Associates