Lincoln Cathedral Visitor Centre
New spaces for historical graces
Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest surviving medieval cathedrals in Northern Europe. As part of a conservation and development programme, we provided permanent and temporary engineering solutions to radically improve the setting and visitor experience as well as conserve the cathedral for future generations to enjoy. A key component of the project was the renovation and extension of the Grade II-listed Old Deanery by William Burn to deliver a new visitor centre.
Lincoln Cathedral wanted to transform the derelict old deanery into a new visitor centre with purpose-built educational spaces to attract more visitors to the cathedral. This major redevelopment transformed the Old Deanery into a bright and modern space housing the cathedral café, shop, community meeting rooms, exhibition gallery and discovery centre. Conservation works were also carried out on the Cathedral’s 12th-century Romanesque Frieze. Designed by Simpson and Brown, the centre connects to the Grade I-listed Sir Christopher Wren Library and Cloister.
- Architect
- Simpson & Brown
- Client
- Lincoln Cathedral
- Location
- Lincoln, UK
Awards
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2023 RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year
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2022 RIBA East Midlands Conservation Award
History & Context
Construction on the current building began in 1072 under Bishop Remigius de Fécamp, who relocated his headquarters from Dorchester on Thames to Lincoln.
The structure was completed in 1092, only to suffer severe damage in an earthquake in 1185. During the next two centuries, it went through a series of reconstructions in the Gothic style.
In 1311, with the erection of its 160-meter-tall (525 ft) central spire, the cathedral claimed the title of the world's tallest building, surpassing even the Great Pyramid of Giza — a distinction it held until the spire's collapse in 1548.
Among its notable features, the cathedral houses one of the four surviving originals of the Magna Carta, now exhibited in Lincoln Castle. With a floor area spanning approximately 5,000 m2 (50,000 sq ft), it ranks as the fourth largest cathedral in the UK, trailing behind Liverpool Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral, and York Minster.
The visitor centre building was originally built as a 19th-century deanery. Its most recent use was as the Cathedral School until it fell into disrepair. To attract more visitors, the old deanery has been converted into a modern light-filled space to house the new cathedral café, shop, community meeting rooms, exhibition gallery and discovery centre.
The Cathedral now has dedicated spaces for schools and educational groups visits to learn about its history. Conservation works were also carried out on the Cathedral’s West Front including its 12th-century Romanesque Frieze.
Image: Wenceslas Hollar, Lincoln Cathedral from the west
Lincoln Cathedral Visitor Centre
Our Approach
Twisted geometry
In the new single-storey limestone building, we used digital parametric modelling to influence the overall roof aesthetic. To preserve the twisted roof geometry, we introduced two inclined and tapering glulam timber roof trusses, separated by a central skylight.
This dramatic and structurally honest element minimises the need for artificial lighting and allows visitors to gaze in awe at the surrounding stonework towering above.
The primary exhibition space features the original 12th-century Romanesque frieze — arguably one of Western Europe’s most important medieval relief carvings — that was removed from the cathedral’s west front due to centuries of weathering.
In the new single-storey limestone building, we used digital parametric modelling to influence the overall roof aesthetic. To preserve the twisted roof geometry, we introduced two inclined and tapering glulam timber roof trusses, separated by a central skylight.
This dramatic and structurally honest element minimises the need for artificial lighting and allows visitors to gaze in awe at the surrounding stonework towering above.
The primary exhibition space features the original 12th-century Romanesque frieze — arguably one of Western Europe’s most important medieval relief carvings — that was removed from the cathedral’s west front due to centuries of weathering.
A raft of innovation
Beneath the building, challenging ground conditions and a scheduled ancient monument status led us to introduce an innovative, compensated balanced raft foundation solution that was praised by Historic England.
This pioneering solution ensures loads from the new building do not damage the significant below-ground archaeology, but instead leave it in place for investigation by future generations.
Beneath the building, challenging ground conditions and a scheduled ancient monument status led us to introduce an innovative, compensated balanced raft foundation solution that was praised by Historic England.
This pioneering solution ensures loads from the new building do not damage the significant below-ground archaeology, but instead leave it in place for investigation by future generations.
Mapping over 1 billion data points
On the cathedral’s west front, we engineered a temporary podium deck to enable the meticulous renovation and removal of the frieze and broader façade cleaning and repair.
Using 3D radar scanning, we collected more than a billion data points to intricately map the elevation and coordinate an optimal deck level, frame tie-back positions, and bespoke restraint brackets. Based on these investigations, we implemented an innovative, cantilevered hot-rolled steel podium framework that will require only minimal reinstatement of finishes once it is dismantled, saving time and money.
We also provided temporary engineering solutions for the restoration of the nearby Exchequer Gate Arch.
On the cathedral’s west front, we engineered a temporary podium deck to enable the meticulous renovation and removal of the frieze and broader façade cleaning and repair.
Using 3D radar scanning, we collected more than a billion data points to intricately map the elevation and coordinate an optimal deck level, frame tie-back positions, and bespoke restraint brackets. Based on these investigations, we implemented an innovative, cantilevered hot-rolled steel podium framework that will require only minimal reinstatement of finishes once it is dismantled, saving time and money.
We also provided temporary engineering solutions for the restoration of the nearby Exchequer Gate Arch.
Construction
Our vital conservation work preserves the architecture and history of Lincoln Cathedral as an internationally renowned monument.
Lincoln Cathedral Visitor Centre
Finalisation
Impact
The £16m Lincoln Cathedral visitor centre, partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, opened in June 2021.
We have supported its ambition to be a place of worship, music and a demonstration of skilful craftsmanship for over 100,000 additional new visitors each year.
Our vital conservation work preserves the architecture and history of Lincoln Cathedral as an internationally renowned monument.
On the cathedral’s west front, we engineered a temporary podium deck to enable the meticulous renovation and removal of the frieze and broader façade cleaning and repair.
Using 3D radar scanning, we collected more than a billion data points to intricately map the elevation and coordinate an optimal deck level, frame tie-back positions, and bespoke restraint brackets. Based on these investigations, we implemented an innovative, cantilevered hot-rolled steel podium framework that will require only minimal reinstatement of finishes once it is dismantled, saving time and money.