Architect chosen for NRM’s new Central Hall

LONDONBASED architects Feilden Fowles has won the competition to create the designs for the National Railway Museum’s new £16.5million Central Hall building.

The winning design reflects the site’s former use as working railway buildings, and features a central two-storey rotunda that is said to have been inspired by steam roundhouses.

The building will be clad in recycled copper, featuring high, glazed ceilings with timber beams (radials).

When completed the 4,500 sq/m Central Hall will be the centrepiece of the museum’s transformational masterplan to create what it describes as the ‘world’s railway museum’.

It will include a spectacular 1,000sq/m gallery to showcase the future of railway technology.

Judith McNicol, director of the National Railway Museum, said: “The winning design centres around a beautifully crafted timber frame rotunda which, through the use of recycled and locally sourced materials, will dramatically reduce the museum’s carbon footprint.

“Feilden Fowles demonstrated a real sensitivity to the site’s railway heritage and to the historic character of the city of York.

“The building will play a vital role in linking the museum and will provide a focal point for the wider York Central development.”

FEILDEN FOWLES The proposed interior of the new Central Hall rotunda, which is said to have been inspired by a steam roundhouse.