Whitby Abbey

 

Alison McLellan was Project Architect for Stanton Williams on Whitby Abbey Visitor's Centre.

 

The centre sits on a windswept headland close to the ruins of the abbey, a popular English Heritage site. Carefully integrated within the shell

of the abandoned 17th century Banqueting House; crisp use of

steel and timber details provides 

a bold contrast with the crumbling exposed brick and stone.

 

The centre houses interpretation of the site, a collection of archaeological finds from the abbey grounds and

a visitor's shop. The building is one element in a rearrangement of the

site that gives the abbey grounds

new dignity and removes

unworthy intrusions.