56. Astley Castle
Witherford Watson Mann Architects' restoration of a ruin
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
The ruin was restored by Witherford Watson Mann for client the Landmark Trust. Destroyed by a fire in 1978, the original building comprised of various elements and extensions dating back from the 13th century. Witherford Watson Mann’s approach was to intervene minimally with new insertions whilst maintaining a memory of what had been there before. The project won the Stirling Prize in 2013.
The interiors of the new insertion were warm and light touch whilst still feeling robust and integrated with the original castle walls. Timber was used as a palette for new walls, floors and staircase – junctions between the timber and original walls were separated by tiled borders so they never touched.