This year's Stirling Prize, the highest honor awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, has gone to Witherford Watson Mann architects for their deft renovation of historic Astley Castle, which was destroyed by fire in 1978.
"Architecture awards are not often given to structures where the roof has caved in and walls have crumbled, but nor are many ruins treated with the care and attention lavished by Witherford Watson Mann architects, whose striking £2.5m intervention has seen the building converted into a beguiling holiday home for the Landmark Trust," writes Oliver Wainwright.
"Stitching a series of brick and timber walls into the ravaged shell, the architects have deftly intertwined a forcefully modern approach with a strong sense of the original ruin, crafting a layered sequence of spaces that celebrate the building's 800 years of history."
Perhaps the best part: The castle is available for rent for as little as £21 a night per person for the cheapest weekends.
FULL STORY: Astley Castle restoration project wins Stirling prize
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie