Decaying 12th Century Astley Castle Scoops 2013 RIBA Stirling Prize for Best New Building

The brilliantly <a href="http://inhabitat.com/renovation/" target="_blank">renovated</a> Astley Castle, a combination between a 12th century fortified manor and a modern hotel, has won the prestigious 2013 RIBA Stirling Prize for the best new building. Commissioned by British building conservation charity The Landmark Trust, the renovation by London-based <a href="http://www.wwmarchitects.co.uk/index2.php" target="_blank">Witherford Watson Mann Architects</a> is a Grade II* listed project that weaves together the old and the new to create a powerful blend of history and contemporary architecture. After scooping the <a href="http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAAwards/Winners2013/WestMidlands/RIBAWestMidlandsNationalAwards2013.aspx" target="_blank">2013 RIBA National Award</a> for the West Midlands region earlier this year, Witherford Watson Mann Architects went on to win the grand prize for the first time.

The Astley Castle, in its present form, fits perfectly into Central England’s landscape of moated manors, medieval gateways, misty lakes and pleasure gardens.

Its ruin-like façade conceals a contemporary interior that offers stunning views of medieval stonework of the adjacent church and surrounding countryside.

The building dates from the 12th century, but was almost completely rebuilt in the 1500s by the Gray family.

Later destroyed by a fire, it has stood as a ruin since 1978 until six years ago when the Landmark Trust decided to save what was left of the house.

The architectural competition for the renovation of the building was won by Witherford Watson Mann Architects.

The brief was for a new house which would be inserted into the old one, without significant changes in its appearance.

Instead of trying to patch the old walls, the architects’ interventions are deliberately distinguishable from the existing structure, but still keeping a holistic approach.

The introduction of brick and wood helped establish a discreet relationship between the exterior sandstone walls and the addition.

The bedrooms and bathrooms are situated on the ground floor and are connected to the communal spaces above via a sculptural central staircase.

An open-plan living space offers views over the moated gardens rich with history and lush vegetation.