John Morton Centre, a day centre for residents of Morden College, a retirement community in south-east London, England, has been named winner of the 2023 RIBA Stirling prize for the best new building in the country.
"At a time when adult social care is in a perilous state, this award demonstrates that there is hope for the sector and the project offers up a model for others working within health and care - inspiring them to create environments that positively impact on people's mental and physical health."
“Loneliness and isolation cause twice the number of deaths as obesity among older people,” Alex Ely (pictured), Founding Director of Mae, the architects behind the project, said.
“It’s a critical health issue that simply isn’t talked about enough.”
John Morden Centre was added to a 300-year-old Grade One-listed retirement village. It complements existing historical buildings dating back to the 17th Century.
The centre is described as a series of red brick "pavilions" housing care and social spaces, stitched together by a central timber "cloister". It offers residents a variety of facilities such as an art room, a hair salon, nail bar and events space aimed at encouraging social interactions, which supports healthier and longer lives. The mullions for the windows have handrails built into them to help residents.
The United Kingdom has, like Australia, an ageing population. 20% of the UK population was aged 65 years or over in 2019 and is forecast to grow to around 24%, or 17.4 million people, by 2043. In Australia, 16.2% of the population was 65 years and older in 2021, with it forecast to be 20.7% in 2066.
The SOURCE: It is a prestigious award. Can an Australian retirement development achieve such acclaim
