Are you a fan of insightful news and engaging stories? Look no further! We are offering you the opportunity to unlock the Publisher’s Digest for free. Dive into the world of journalism and discover the latest articles that will broaden your horizons and keep you informed. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to access exclusive content!

Roula Khalaf, editor of the FT, selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Step into the quiet retirement community of Blackheath, south London, and behold the winner of the UK’s most prestigious architecture award – the John Morden Center. Exceptionally designed, this architectural gem has garnered praise for being “a place of joy and inspiration”. Allow yourself to be transported into a world of beauty and sophistication, where architectural excellence meets the needs of senior housing.

An Architectural Triumph

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) bestowed the esteemed Stirling Prize upon the John Morden Center, recognizing it as Britain’s best new building. This series of intimate, tidy, and tastefully designed houses pays homage to the 17th-century almshouses built by Edward Strong, Sir Christopher Wren’s master mason. Mae Architects have artfully integrated medical facilities and social spaces, presenting a bold and hopeful model for health and care centers for older individuals.

A Place of Joy and Inspiration

Ellen van Loon, the chair of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, praises the John Morden Center, stating, “It sensitively and seamlessly integrates medical facilities and social spaces, offering a bold and hopeful model for the design of health and care centers for older people. Great architecture orients people so they can thrive, and this building is exemplary in achieving exactly that.”

The Essence of Community

The John Morden Center’s design places great emphasis on the concept of community. The cloisters and warm, enveloping wooden constructions create a monastic ambiance where individuals can thrive. Additionally, the incorporation of the existing 1950s hall, which has been refurbished rather than demolished, not only maintains continuity but also promotes sustainability by reducing embodied carbon.

A Haven for Former Business Owners

Morden College, the client behind this extraordinary project, caters to former business owners who have fallen on hard times. This unique and compassionate approach to senior housing showcases the center’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for individuals who have contributed significantly to society.

Dominating the Architectural Landscape

The Stirling Prize shortlist for this year was notably filled with exceptional designs that seamlessly integrated into existing neighborhoods, reimagining architectural archetypes. The John Morden Center emerged victorious, joining the ranks of previous Stirling Prize winners such as The New Library at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, Hastings Pier, and the Everyman Theater in Liverpool.

A Deeper Exploration of Architectural Excellence

The Power of Architecture

Architecture holds the remarkable ability to shape our experiences and create environments that uplift our spirits. This power extends beyond physical structures and can greatly impact individuals’ well-being and quality of life.

Incorporating History and Tradition

The John Morden Center exemplifies how old traditions can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of modern architecture. By drawing inspiration from nearby almshouses built in the 17th century, the center pays homage to its historical roots while offering a contemporary and functional living space for older individuals.

The Importance of Sustainable Design

By retaining and refurbishing the existing 1950s hall, the John Morden Center showcases the significance of sustainability in architecture. This approach not only reduces waste but also highlights the potential of repurposing existing structures to create innovative and environmentally friendly spaces.

Creating Communities Built for Thriving

Architecture plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and belonging. The John Morden Center’s design promotes interaction and connection among its residents, emphasizing the importance of human connection and social engagement in enabling individuals to thrive, regardless of age.

Unlock the World of Architecture Today!

Experience the brilliance of architectural design and unlock the Publisher’s Digest for free. Sign up now to gain access to Roula Khalaf’s favorite stories in this weekly newsletter. Stay informed about the latest architectural trends, innovations, and inspiring projects that redefine the way we live.

Unlock the Publisher’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, editor of the FT, selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.

A quiet retirement community in Blackheath, south London, has won the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, with judges praising it as “a place of joy and inspiration”.

THE Royal Institute of British Architects on Thursday said the John Morden Center had received the Stirling Prize, which annually recognizes Britain’s best new building.

The series of intimate, tidy and contained houses are brick-built and small in size, inspired by the nearby almshouses built in the 17th century by Edward Strong, Sir Christopher Wren’s master mason.

Quiet, contextual and delicate, Mae Architects’ new building is a beautiful piece of background architecture that addresses the increasingly pressing issue of senior housing.

Ellen van Loon, chair of the Riba Stirling Prize jury, said: “The John Morden Center is a place of joy and inspiration. It sensitively and seamlessly integrates medical facilities and social spaces, offering a bold and hopeful model for the design of health and care centers for older people.

“Great architecture orients people so they can thrive, and this building is exemplary in achieving exactly that,” he added.

The cloisters and the warm, enveloping wooden constructions of the interior reinforce an almost monastic idea of ​​community. The design also subtly incorporates an existing 1950s hall, which has been retained and refurbished rather than demolished, maintaining continuity and saving embodied carbon.

The client was Morden College and its residents are former business owners who have fallen on hard times.

The building looks a bit like something from early 1960s rural Denmark, but perhaps this should be understood as a complement rather than a critique, an acknowledgment of the qualities of serious, well-made mid-century modernism, all tempered from a brick vernacular.

The shortlist for this year’s award was dominated by quiet, community or public buildings who go to great lengths to fit into existing neighborhoods, revisiting rather than reinventing architectural archetypes.

Previous winners include The New Library at Magdalene College, University of CambridgeHastings Pier and the Everyman Theater in Liverpool.