Montpellier Gallery

Astley Castle wins Riba Stirling Prize for architecture

A groundbreaking modern holiday home inserted into the walls of an ancient castle has won this year's Riba Stirling Prize for architecture.
Astley Castle wins Riba Stirling Prize for architecture
Astley Castle was chosen from six shortlisted buildings to win the annual award, which is the Royal Institute of British Architects' highest accolade.

Riba president Stephen Hodder called it a real labour of love.

Astley Castle is an exceptional example of how modern architecture can revive an ancient monument, he added.

esigned by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, the fortified manor house in Warwickshire also topped the BBC website's readers vote on Wednesday.

The castle took a 27% share of the 65,000 that took part in the vote.

It beat off competition from an eclectic Stirling Prize shortlist that included the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre in Northern Ireland and Park Hill, a renovated 1960s estate in Sheffield.

Other contenders included Newhall Be - a suburban development in Harlow, Essex; the University of Limerick Medical Centre and Bishop Edward King Chapel in Oxfordshire.

Once home to the aristocratic Grey family, Astley Castle has links to three queens of England and gained Grade II listed status in 1951.

Mr Hodder said he was delighted to present the winning architects with the Stirling Prize trophy at a special ceremony at Central Saint Martins in London's King's Cross.



The winner of the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize is due to be announced later.

Judges will select the winner from a shortlist of six buildings which range from a new wing for a derelict castle to a revamp of an inner-city housing estate.

Members of the public were given the chance to have their say by voting on the BBC website, choosing Astley Castle in Warwickshire as their favourite.