Archinect - News 2024-12-22T01:48:40-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150387310/m-s-john-morden-centre-wins-the-2023-riba-stirling-prize Mæ's John Morden Centre wins the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize Josh Niland 2023-10-19T19:57:00-04:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/ba/ba5c8e89ff35b833bf610a52ab39907e.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The design for the John Morden Centre in Blackheath, London, by <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/20498922/mae-architects" target="_blank">M&aelig;</a> has just been announced as the winner of the 2023 Stirling Prize by the <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/150175724/royal-institute-of-british-architects" target="_blank">Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)</a>.</p> <p>The country&rsquo;s new &lsquo;Best New Building&rsquo; honor was bestowed to the 22-year-old firm&rsquo;s redesign of the elder care facility located on the site of Grade I-listed Morden College, the original design for which dates to the 1690s and has been attributed to the period&rsquo;s most significant architect, Sir Christopher Wren. </p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/71/71db246c865a3a11cabf4798317e7fdb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/71/71db246c865a3a11cabf4798317e7fdb.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo: Jim Stephenson</figcaption></figure><p>The scope of the project involved creating a more sociable, physically active, and less isolating atmosphere in which residents can age in place gracefully. With dramatic effect, the overhaul consolidates formerly diffuse functions at the non-profit care facility into a series of brick pavilions that are connected by the construction of a central timber colonnade. </p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/4f/4f001a95164939df1a98c151ccb69cab.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/4f/4f001a95164939df1a98c151ccb69cab.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo: Jim Stephenson</figcaption></figure><p>A steeply pitched roofline gives the structure an austere but still inviting character. I...</p>