Rievaulx Abbey

Architect

Simpson & Brown

Project Awards & Nominations:

• North York Moors National Park Authority Design Awards 2018, Joint winner for Best Non-Residential Development, Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre and Museum
• Wood Awards, Commercial & Leisure Winner 2017
• RIBA Yorkshire Regional Award 2017
• EAA Ambassador Award 2017

Detail

Cooper8 were commissioned by English Heritage to collaborate as part of the design team for the new Visitor Centre at Grade I listed Rievaulx Abbey, led by Simpson & Brown Architects. The visitor centre was designed and built to act as a showcase for the abbey and a wow factor for the visitors, so integrating the functional elements while complementing the impressive architecture was essential.

We were tasked with designing the back-of-house kitchen, the cafés counter, and cafe seating layout. We also gave recommendations for furniture selection and overall colour scheme. Although the kitchen was small and compact, our expertise allowed us to maximise the operational potential of the space. We carefully selected equipment that fit both the available area and the cafés menu, ensuring the kitchen ran smoothly, efficiently, and comfortably, even in its limited footprint.

One of the key challenges involved the close proximity of holiday cottages to the visitor centre. Planning restrictions and concerns raised in the environmental noise impact assessment required thoughtful solutions. To resolve this, we integrated noise attenuation into the ventilation system, ensuring it operated efficiently while minimising noise disturbances. We also enclosed the cold room’s remote condensing units in acoustic housings to further reduce any noise impact. This attention to detail allowed us to meet the environmental requirements and deliver a space that respects its surroundings.

The café has since become a popular attraction for visitors, who appreciate the chance to take a break in the astounding setting. The counter design is functional and encourages flow, while the chosen furnishings and colour palette are uplifting and bright, creating a relaxed and fresh atmosphere that compliments the surrounding architecture.