12th century Astley castle is one of the coolest restoration projects we’ve seen and has just been deservingly awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize 2013. This amazing castle in Warwickshire sadly fell into ruin after it was gutted by a fire in 1978 but this month won one of architecture’s most prestigious prizes following an amazing restoration project.

The contemporary house was inserted into the 12th century ruins of Astley Castle by architects Witherford Watson Mann – they created a new house that allows Landmark Trust guests to experience life in a near 1,000 year old castle with distinctly 21st century mod cons.

Astley Castle was awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize 2013 for the greatest contribution to British architecture in the last year.

It’s the first house and the first restoration project to win the award in its 18-year history. The 2 storey residence squats within the chunky sandstone walls of the abandoned mediaeval castle, creating a holiday home for up to eight guests.

A new system of wooden floors and ceilings creates living areas and bedrooms in the oldest part of the building, while extensions added in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries are now used as entrance courtyards.