The aim of the York Design Awards is to encourage and promote excellence in design and conservation, striving for the highest standards which will delight present and future generations.
Designed by: 3xa Design
Built by: Kocyk Construction Ltd.
For: Alasdair and Rachel Hicks
The project remodels a Victorian terraced home in Heworth to create a new music room overlooking the garden and an open plan kitchen-dining room.
The existing back extension has been partially demolished and rebuilt, its roof extended over a new room volume articulated internally with a vaulted ceiling, storage wall and picture window.
Externally the extension expresses the relationship between new and old with a material palette of brick, slate and treated oak.
Privacy, sociability and views were important aspects of the internal reorganisation, resulting in a coherent sequence of spaces prioritising access to external areas and visual connections to the garden.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The first project to receive an award is one that may be modest in scale, but has delivered big results for the family who live there. Formally dysfunctional spaces have been transformed into a well-flowing, sociable, practical and delightful part of the home. The judges were particularly impressed with the attention given to the small details that enhance the quality of the spaces and how they are used.”
Designed by: ArkleBoyce Architects
Built by: GEM Construction
For: The Homeowner
Marygate is a contemporary extension and re-imagining of a neo-classical dwelling from the 1950s. Situated on one of the most historic streets in York, it is almost entirely hidden by substantial boundary walls.
Our clients, were ambitious with the brief, and bold in their choice of property. The house required vision, and the client has played a significant part in developing a scheme.
We worked WITH the building, rather than AGAINST it. Our approach was to trust that the design process would deliver something spectacular creating a home nestled in its own garden oasis.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“Our second award for a single residential project, is for a transformational refurbishment that has skilfully created a contemporary home, designed in response to its garden context and the current and future needs of the family living there. Material choice and detailing has been carefully considered whilst the layout masterfully allows spaces to both flow and remain separate. ”
Designed by: Mikhail Riches Architects
Built by: Caddick Construction
For: City of York Council
Duncombe Square delivers 34 high-quality homes that respond sensitively to context while setting new standards for sustainable living in York.
Developed in line with the Housing Delivery Programme’s five principles, the scheme provides much-needed housing through inclusive, accessible design, generous space standards, and strong community focus.
Passivhaus certification ensures exceptional energy performance, reducing carbon emissions and energy bills while enhancing comfort and wellbeing. A vibrant central green and carefully designed public realm foster social interaction and connection to place.
Through collaboration and a commitment to design quality, the scheme creates a distinctive, low-carbon neighbourhood that inspires future housing in York.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The first award in the multi-residential category goes to a development which successfully balances public with private and sustainably transforms its immediate context. The judges praised the design for reflecting the character of the historic setting in a quiet and contemporary manner. They were impressed by the quality of its details and construction, both internally and externally, its well-considered use of materials, and the positive contribution it has made to the immediate townscape.“
Designed by: GWP Architecture
Built by: GMI Construction
For: Olympian Homes
Fusion Students – Rialto House is a 275-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme on Fishergate, York, completed in July 2025.
Developed by Olympian Homes, owned by Cain and operated by Fusion Students, the scheme brings forward a high quality student living environment on the site of the former Rialto Cinema.
The design responds sensitively to its historic context through its scale, massing and brick façade, while incorporating landscaped courtyards and shared spaces focused on wellbeing and community.
Achieving a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, Rialto House transforms a previously underused site into a vibrant and sustainable student community.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The second award in the multi-residential category goes to a project that has successfully overcome the architectural and constructional difficulties of building on a challenging historic site. The judges admired how the buildings interact with the street at human scale and make a positive contribution to the character area in its contemporary handling of brickwork. carefully articulating the building envelope, to break down scale, improve legibility, provide defensible space and visual interest.“
Designed by: Evans McDowall Architects
Built by: Lindum York
For: Askham Bryan College
The refurbishment of the 1968 Teaching Block at Askham Bryan College demonstrates a clear and confident approach to reuse. Retaining a structurally sound building, the scheme delivers modern, flexible teaching spaces through targeted intervention rather than wholesale change.
A new entrance and consistent use of oak establish identity and strengthen campus cohesion. Comprehensive fabric and services upgrades significantly improve environmental performance, supported by photovoltaic panels.
The integration of a courtyard micro-farm embeds sustainability within the curriculum. The result is a robust, well-resolved building that transforms a previously outdated facility into a contemporary and engaging learning environment.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The first award in the ‘Non-Residential’ category goes to a project that has successfully transformed a 1960s building from a dysfunctional and inefficient liability into a valued and attractive asset. The judges were impressed that the result is a building that is not only functional and fit for purpose but also a delightful and inspiring place in which to study and be taught.”
Designed by: Brown & Company
Built by: Supercity Aparthotels Ltd.
For: Micklegate Developments Ltd.
This new aparthotel development at 105-111 Micklegate draws on its historic, physical and environmental contexts to create contemporary architecture which is sensitive to its context while being unapologetically modern in its design.
The building has taken a contemporary design approach inspired by medieval building forms and enhances a significant gateway into the city centre from the south. The development contains 46 bedrooms, along with ancillary facilities for the Boutique Aparthotel. The reception lounge space located at ground floor level provides active street frontage along Micklegate.
Enlivening the previously dormant streetscape and bringing renewed vitality to this part of the city, the proposals showcase contextual, contemporary design, bringing delight to its visitors and enhancing its context.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The second award in the ‘Non-Residential’ category is given to a project that the judges felt enhances the sense of arrival to the inner city and responds successfully to its challenging urban context. While the design alludes to the historic significance of the site – it nevertheless creates its own clear architectural identity and makes a positive contribution to the contemporary architecture of York.”
Designed by: Buttress
Built by: John Graham Construction Ltd.
For: National Railway Museum
Station Hall’s renewal demonstrates how thoughtful conservation can transform a historic building into a significantly more engaging visitor experience.
Buttress Architects combined expert heritage restoration with elegant design to reveal the hall’s architectural beauty and historic significance. Major improvements, including a new thermally efficient roof, solar panels, enhanced glazing and refined environmental controls, protect the nationally important railway collection while reducing carbon use.
The reinterpreted displays, enriched storytelling and atmospheric lighting immerse visitors in the life of a working goods shed, creating deeper emotional connections and a clearer understanding of the people and stories behind Britain’s railway heritage.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The first award in this Heritage category goes to a project which quietly reinforces the original character of the building whilst maximising its potential for environmental sustainability. Internally the structure, material, colour and lighting have been carefully designed to influence foreground and background, resulting in a truly atmospheric experience.”
Designed by: York Conservation Trust
Built by: Woodhouse Construction York Ltd.
For: York Conservation Trust
York Conservation Trust is responsible for over 70 historic York buildings, from small shops to major civic buildings. 77 Walmgate is a rare surviving timber-framed buildings on this street.
After years of mixed retail and residential, this historic building has been brought back to life as a family home, blending the old and new. A distinctly modern kitchen extension creates a new spatial arrangement that allows the building’s historic features to shine.
One of the first projects in the Trust’s newly developed 10-year plan for our estate, it exemplifies the benefits of sensitive new design to better utilise historic buildings.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The second award in this category goes to a project which reimagines a site’s potential in order to create a variety of spaces while also preserving and revealing what is truly special. Repair techniques have been chosen to suit each particular situation, and the highest standards of craftsmanship have been employed.”
Designed by: York Conservation Trust
Built by: Pinnacle Conservation Ltd.
For: York Conservation Trust
York Conservation Trust is responsible for over 70 historic York buildings, from small shops to major civic buildings. Although not the largest, 60 Goodramgate, is one of our oldest and most significant properties.
The building has stood empty for several years while the project has been developed and adapted to suit the unique qualities of the site.
One of the first projects in the Trust’s newly developed 10-year plan, it exemplifies the benefits this will bring by putting an important historic building back into use and creating unique spaces that people will want
to use for a long time.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The John Shannon Conservation Award goes to a project which recovers and celebrates a building’s long history. The scheme demonstrates the value of taking a patient and informed approach to understanding our inheritance and of working with it. The result is a distinctive building with rich spaces and intriguing details – all having been repaired and cared for by specialists in each field.”
Designed by: Mikhail Riches Architects
Built by: Caddick Construction
For: City of York Council
Duncombe Square delivers 34 high-quality homes that respond sensitively to context while setting new standards for sustainable living in York.
Developed in line with the Housing Delivery Programme’s five principles, the scheme provides much-needed housing through inclusive, accessible design, generous space standards, and strong community focus.
Passivhaus certification ensures exceptional energy performance, reducing carbon emissions and energy bills while enhancing comfort and wellbeing. A vibrant central green and carefully designed public realm foster social interaction and connection to place.
Through collaboration and a commitment to design quality, the scheme creates a distinctive, low-carbon neighbourhood that inspires future housing in York.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
“The Sustainability Award is given to a project that the judges felt embraced a wide range of sustainability initiatives which demonstrated an admirable holistic strategy for the wider site, with the aim of achieving Net Zero status. A ‘Fabric-First’ design philosophy ensures energy efficiency is built into the structure itself, striving to reduce embodied carbon where possible. The project not only promotes wellbeing, biodiversity and low-carbon lifestyles, but also delivers exemplar performance.“
Designed by: ArkleBoyce Architects
Built by: GEM Construction
For: The Homeowner
Marygate is a contemporary extension and re-imagining of a neo-classical dwelling from the 1950s. Situated on one of the most historic streets in York, it is almost entirely hidden by substantial boundary walls.
Our clients, were ambitious with the brief, and bold in their choice of property. The house required vision, and the client has played a significant part in developing a scheme.
We worked WITH the building, rather than AGAINST it. Our approach was to trust that the design process would deliver something spectacular creating a home nestled in its own garden oasis.
Judges comments from the Awards evening
Designed by: Brown & Company
Built by: Supercity Aparthotels Ltd.
For: Micklegate Developments Ltd.
This new aparthotel development at 105-111 Micklegate draws on its historic, physical and environmental contexts to create contemporary architecture which is sensitive to its context while being unapologetically modern in its design.
The building has taken a contemporary design approach inspired by medieval building forms and enhances a significant gateway into the city centre from the south. The development contains 46 bedrooms, along with ancillary facilities for the Boutique Aparthotel. The reception lounge space located at ground floor level provides active street frontage along Micklegate.
Enlivening the previously dormant streetscape and bringing renewed vitality to this part of the city, the proposals showcase contextual, contemporary design, bringing delight to its visitors and enhancing its context.
