Johnson Architectural Elements are All Around You!

Johnson Architectural Elements solutions are often present in iconic new buildings and structures worldwide. Metallic materials and bright finishes are often associated with futuristic designs that push the boundaries of current architecture. However, an unlikely and magical symbiosis is created when those contemporary elements are combined with centuries-old structures. An example of this magic can be found in Clifford Tower.  

Clifford Tower is part of the fortified complex in the city of York, England, consisting of a sequence of castles, prisons, law courts, and other buildings built over the last nine centuries on the south side of the River Foss. It is placed on a raised earthwork that was once the site of a timber keep built by William the Conqueror and destroyed during the worst event in the site’s history; the massacre of the Jews in 1190. A new stone tower was built in 1245 and has played an important role in turbulent national events such as the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the English Civil War.  

Because of the site’s fascinating history, the English Heritage invested in conservation and improvements to the visitor infrastructure at Clifford’s Tower. Concluded in April 2022, the renovation included a rooftop and new visitor experiences. Johnson Architectural Elements contributed to the project, providing stainless steel flat panels GP50 for suspended bridges and the stairs in the tower interior. All flat grills and stairs received an anti-slip treatment by bead blasting.  

Those bridges are an essential part of the experience, as they guide visitors in defined paths inside the tower while they listen to recordings about the historical events that took place there. The stairs lead to the brand-new rooftop, from where you can see unrivalled views over York’s historic skyline.  

So, pay attention next time you visit a museum or historic site. Among the masterpieces, you may find some Johnson Architectural Elements art hiding in plain sight! 

Media 

Renato Barbedo – Global Marketing Director
renato.barbedo@johnsonscreens.com