Tobit Curteis, 
Architectural Conservator, Director Tobit Curteis Associates LLP

I am an Architectural conservator, studying the underlying causes of the deterioration of the masonry in the Norman Chapel and designing the overall approaches to control and conservation.

Undertaking a project of this type on a World Heritage Site is highly unusual and has required extensive research and development from a variety of parties. The condition of the chapel has been studied in detail before the project and this will continue throughout the work and in the future. As such this provides an ideal case for long term evaluation of the effect of interventions of this type. The aim is to publish the results of the project to improve knowledge across the field of architectural conservation.

• To Find out more visit the Tobie Curteis Services website

 Raffaella Aliprandi,  
 Visitor Services Supervisor (Durham Castle)

I am the co-ordinator for the guided tours at Durham Castle, so I have to liaise with the Curator and the rest of the team to    make sure our visitors understand what is happening with the work and why it is being done. This involves  communicating    updates to our Castle guides, volunteers and the general public when they visit.

I would love to know that the Norman Chapel will be safe for generations to come. It is a special place in Durham Castle     that really creates a lasting impression on our visitors, and it would be so nice to know the space will keep inspiring and awing generations to come. I am also looking forward to  getting better lighting for the carvings in the Chapel,  so visitors  can see the carvings more clearly.

• Visit the website to book a guided tour of Durham Castle

Matt Jacobs,
Estates and Facilities Relationship Manager, Durham University

Acting as a point of contact for stakeholders on Palace Green, I provide updates and information to University staff and departments on the Peninsula. Through having a good network of key contacts, I am able to promote the good work that’s being done as part of the Norman Chapel Project as well as feeding back any stakeholder concerns to the Project Manager. This ensures Estates and Facilities consistently deliver exceptional services.

Emma Fletcher,
Studio Director, Colour Consulting landscape architects 

As the consulting landscape architect, Emma is responsible for design proposals to the North Terrace which will open up and re-imagine the space for use primarily by students as a quiet reflective garden. A new path route will follow the line of the historic promenade on the Terrace through rich, shade tolerant planting beds. Seating will be provided at key points where vistas across the wider City can be best enjoyed.

•  To find out more, visit the Colour Consulting Landscape Architects website

Mike Charlston,  
Senior Project Manager, Estates & Facilities, Durham University

I providing assistance to Carrie Thompson (main E&F Project Manager), but I'm also an interested party in such a historic and important project for  Durham Castle / University College and Durham University.

The project is hopefully the first in a much larger rolling programme of  work on Durham Castle / University College and the type of project that doesn’t come around that often in a Project Manager’s career. 

Norman Chapel Project