York Guildhall

Client: Vinci Construction

The Problem

Following years of exposure to weather and increased flood events from the River Ouse, part of the planned £16.5 million refurbishment of the historic Guildhall included designing a modern system for flood prevention to the lower riverside access.

As a listed building, it was essential to maintain the existing appearance. External windows and access doors needed to blend seamlessly into the structure while still providing modern flood protection.

The Solution

To protect the riverside basement façade, the upgrade included 1 external flood door, 2 internal flood doors, and measures to protect 14 existing stained-glass windows. M3 Floodtec proposed secondary flood-proof clear glazing units fitted into the masonry frames in front of the existing windows and provided 3 new steel flood doors.

The 2 internal flood doors were standard kite-marked flood doors, while the external door was a bespoke design to closely match the existing 18th-century door.

Works were completed in February 2021.