Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 106
A Decade of Transformation:
Alan Wood & Partners & the
Restoration of Hull Minster
In the heart of Hull’s Old Town stands the magnificent Hull Minster—a beacon of worship,
heritage, and community for over 700 years. Formerly known as Holy Trinity Church, the
Grade I Listed building has been a silent witness to centuries of history, architectural evolution,
and civic change. From 2013 to 2022, Alan Wood & Partners (AWP) had the honour of
playing a pivotal role in one of the most ambitious and sensitive heritage-led regeneration projects
in the region: the restoration, reconfiguration, and renewal of Hull Minster.
This multi-phase, decade-long programme was not just a
construction project—it was a collaborative vision to
create a sustainable, accessible, and community-centred
space that preserved the building’s legacy while preparing
it for the demands of future generations. AWP provided
project management, cost consultancy, civil and structural
engineering, geotechnical expertise, temporary works
design and acted as Principal Designer throughout,
ensuring continuity and coordination across all phases.
opportunities but was underpinned by a unified approach
to sustainability, sensitivity, and craft.
Phase 1 – Linking the Minster to the City (2016)
As part of Hull’s preparations for its City of Culture
designation in 2017, the first phase focused on the public
realm. The removal of the Victorian boundary walls and
mature trees that once enclosed the west front created a
new, open, and inviting square, paved with high-quality
stone, reflecting pools, and bespoke seating.
A Vision of Restoration and Regeneration
The overarching goal from the outset was clear: to open
up the Minster—physically and figuratively—to its city
and its people. The Minster needed to become a place
that welcomed all, without barriers, whilst safeguarding
its heritage and preparing it for a long and vibrant future.
The works were delivered in three interconnected
phases. Each phase presented distinct challenges and
Perhaps the most delicate aspect of this phase was the
archaeological work and exhumation of over 800
graves—a process undertaken with dignity and precision.
Every detail, from ground investigations to brass inlays
marking the historical wall line, showcased the team’s
respect for heritage.
Above, Museum of the Moon
i
i
Conservation & Heritage Journal
104
