Part of Carlisle Cathedral has been given a prestigious architecture award.

The Fratry has been awarded two Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards for the Cathedral’s landmark building project there.

RIBA is a global body which aims to drive excellence in architecture.

The Fratry Project at Carlisle Cathedral was a double winner at this year’s RIBA awards receiving both the ‘RIBA North West Award 2022’ and ‘RIBA North West Special Award for Sustainability’.

The Fratry Project’s architect Ingrid Petit, from Feilden Fowles, also won the ‘RIBA North West Project Architect of the Year 2022’ for her work on the project.

Over 10 years since its conception, work on the Grade I listed Fratry area of the Cathedral was completed in June 2020.

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The £3.4million project was made up by a £1.9million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the rest was raised through the fundraising by the Friends of Carlisle Cathedral, grant-making trusts, donations by members of the public and events at the cathedral.

A spokesperson from RIBA said: “The Fratry project articulates a journey from concept to occupation; creating an engaging piece of placemaking where community input has enabled the delivery of social value.

“The architects have undertaken an award-winning piece of discerning conservation, creating a new build café facility whilst restoring and re-purposing the existing Fratry with community space.”

“The aim of the Fratry project was to bring the Fratry building back to life making it a cultural hub in the city centre with the addition of the pavilion cafe, as well as education, exhibition and event spaces in the Fratry and Undercroft.”

The very reverend Mark Boyling, dean of Carlisle said: “We are delighted to hear the news of this award.

“From the many comments we receive, we know how much people appreciate what has been achieved.”

Having won the North West awards the Fratry will now go forward in the national awards judging process with the winner being announced later in the year.

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