The best British building of the year is the renovation of a 16th-century fortress

London - The best British building of the year has become the transformation of the remains of Astley Castle in central England into a modern holiday home. The winners of the Stirling Prize, which is regularly awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), were the authors from the studio Witherford Watson Mann Architects on Thursday evening.
The jury selected the winner from six finalists. They particularly appreciated how the architects sensitively restored the ruins of the 16th-century residence and created a completely contemporary house. "Astley Castle is an exceptional example of how modern architecture can bring historical heritage to life," stated RIBA Chairman Stephen Hodder.
Astley Castle in Warwickshire has roots in the Middle Ages; the first fortified residence was built here by the estate's owners in the 12th century. The significant landmark was rebuilt in the mid-16th century but fell into disrepair after a devastating fire in 1978. A charitable organization had it transformed into a holiday facility, and as reported by the BBC, the transformation has succeeded in every respect. It is appreciated not only by experts but also by tourists: accommodation in Astley is booked up until 2015.
The Stirling Prize, which carries a reward of £20,000 (approximately 550,000 crowns), was awarded to Witherford Watson Mann in an unconventional competition: a total of five finalists were vying for the prize for the very first time. Last year, the award went to a laboratory building in the botanical garden complex of the University of Cambridge designed by the Stanton Williams studio. In previous years, the famous architect Zaha Hadid won the prize twice.