Design Ideas for the Built World

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Project Highlight: Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle featuring Marshalls

Architect: Royal Brough Of Windsor & Maidenhead

Location: England

Background

Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor, Berkshire. It is strongly associated with the British royal family, and embodies almost 1,000 years of architectural history.

Originally built in the 11th Century, Windsor Castle, part of the Occupied Royal Palaces Estate, is owned by Queen Elizabeth II in right of the Crown and day-to-day management is by the Royal Household.

In terms of population, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the longest-occupied palace in Europe, but it also remains a functioning royal home. As of 2006, around 500 people were living and working in the castle. The Queen has increasingly used the castle as a royal palace as well as her weekend home and it is now as often used for state banquets and official entertaining.

In 2019, Windsor Castle and Frogmore House that sits within its grounds, received 1.65 million public visitors.

Project Solution

While Windsor Castle already had many security measures in place, some additional protective street furniture pieces were sought that would blend with the history and architecture of the castle, while providing a level of protection.

VolkerHighways, who were appointed by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead as the main contractors on this project, worked alongside the Marshalls engineering teams to create several bespoke seating options.

A number of bespoke planter shrouds and seating additions were created for the Rhinoblock® protective seat, which were installed in the public perimeter of the castle.