Mæ Architects’ John Morden Centre has won this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize, the highest accolade in UK architecture.

The day centre for residents of the Morden College retirement community in Blackheath, south-east London, sits alongside existing buildings in the grade-I listed college grounds. Among them are an almshouse and chapel attributed to Christopher Wren.

Mæ’s 911sq m structure is arranged as a series of red-brick pavilions that house care and social spaces including medical facilities, a hair and nail salon, an art room and a café. The centre – known as “JMC” – also has a theatre area for larger-scale events and performances.

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