The John Morden Centre, a retirement day care facility in London, has clinched the UK's most prestigious architecture award.
Situated in Blackheath, the building garnered acclaim from the jury of the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize 2023 for its innovative use of sustainable materials.
Designed by Mæ, the RIBA judges hailed it as a pioneering example of how to "elevate the standards of quality in social healthcare."
This achievement surpassed five other contenders, including A House for Artists and the University of Warwick's Faculty of Arts. The full list of finalists featured:
A House for Artists, Barking (Apparata Architects) Central Somers Town Community Facilities and Housing, Camden (Adam Khan Architects) Lavender Hill Courtyard Housing, Clapham (Sergison Bates architects) Courtauld Connects - The Courtauld Institute of Art (Witherford Watson Mann Architects) University of Warwick - Faculty of Arts (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios) All six structures were conceived to address specific societal challenges, such as increasing wealth inequality and housing shortages.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki remarked, "These six remarkable buildings offer thoughtful, creative responses to the really complex challenges we're facing today. Whether it's tackling loneliness, building communities, or preserving our heritage, these projects lay out bold blueprints for purposeful architecture."
The John Morden Centre IMAGE SOURCE, JIM STEPHENSON/RIBA The John Morden Centre was integrated into a 300-year-old Grade One-listed residential and nursing site for the elderly known as Morden College. It harmoniously complements the existing historical structures dating back to the 17th Century, including the almshouse and chapel attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral.
Described as a series of red brick "pavilions," the center houses various care and social spaces, interconnected by a central timber "cloister." It offers residents a range of amenities, including an art room, a hair salon, a nail bar, and an events space designed to encourage social interactions, thereby promoting healthier and longer lives.
A 'Fulfilling' Project The UK's rapidly aging population, combined with a declining birth rate, presents long-term challenges. A government report suggests that "families will face increasing pressure to balance care with other responsibilities, particularly work. This is likely to mean that demand and supply of care will diverge."
Approximately 19% of the UK population was aged 65 years or over in 2019, a figure projected to grow to around 24% by 2043, or 17.4 million people. This will exert further pressure on public services and the broader care industry unless more innovative solutions are developed.
Alex Ely, founding director of the winning design agency Mæ, described the John Morden Centre as a "really fulfilling project to work on." He emphasized that this award offers hope for the social care sector and sets a model for those working within health and care, inspiring them to create environments that positively impact people's mental and physical well-being.
Speaking on behalf of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Ellen van Loon said, "The John Morden Centre is a place of joy and inspiration... This building provides comfort and warmth, with thoughtful features designed to prevent isolation. It illustrates how buildings can themselves be therapeutic—supporting care and instilling a sense of belonging."
Design features to cater to the varying needs and capabilities of elderly residents include concealed wooden handrails and built-in seating along walkways. High-contrast patterns on the edges of floors provide those living with dementia a visual way to navigate the building.
The center embraces the principles of "biophilic design," establishing a connection with the natural environment. A prominent cedar tree serves as the focal point of the garden, offering different seating areas to appreciate the changing natural light.
Construction materials like cross-laminated timber were used to reduce the building's carbon footprint, while lime-based mortar and passive ventilation, utilizing the building's chimneys, minimize energy consumption for heating and cooling.
RIBA has been honoring the UK's best new buildings since 1996, with judging criteria encompassing design vision, innovation, originality, the ability to engage and delight, accessibility, and sustainability.
Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include The New Library, Magdalene College in Cambridge by Níall McLaughlin Architects (2022), Bloomberg by Foster and Partners (2018), and the Liverpool Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins (2014). Photo RIBA-London by Steve Cadman, Wikimedia commons.