vHH began to work with Leicester Cathedral in 2008, to reorder their grade II* listed building to serve contemporary liturgy. Following identification of Richard III, Chapter asked us to integrate his memorial within our masterplan.

This project transformed the chancel to create the King’s resting place and to deliver a fundamental reordering objective, relocating the sanctuary from the east end to the heart of the cathedral.

The chancel interior was created when the building became a cathedral in 1927. Nicholson’s elaborate chapter stalls and screen effectively distanced the high altar from the congregation. Obtaining support for the works required exhaustive research and detailed consultation with the numerous stakeholders, including local communities, the Richard III Society and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.

Within the new spaces, defined by reconfigured joinery and new floors, our design for the tomb expresses the Christian symbology of Richard both as a person and his status as a King. A tombstone of Swaledale limestone seals the burial vault, over a Kilkenny limestone plinth inlaid with pietra-dura arms and incised with his date, motto and dates.

Our new high altar ‘holds’ the centre of the cathedral and is complemented by the new cathedra, designed by Francesco Draisci. The technically innovative altar is made of specially mined Fauld alabaster sheets and limestone plinth sections, all mounted on a spaceframe chassis, so they can be moved.

Our designs for building, tomb and altar have been realised with craftsmanship of the highest order.

Richard III’s reinterment took place in March 2015. By enhancing the physical quality of the cathedral and making its heritage tangible, the project has been transformational for the cathedral’s liturgy and its public perception (over 12 times the visitor numbers) and is reinvigorating the local economy, attracting inward investment and focussing the community’s sense of pride.