Unpopular Cadiz castle restoration wins architecture prize

THE widely criticised restoration of Matrera castle in Cadiz has won an international architecture prize.

A Spanish heritage body had called the refurbishment of the 1,000-year-old fortress ‘lamentable’, but on Tuesday it won the popular vote in the architecture and preservation category of the Architize A+ awards.

The projects leading architect Carlos Quevedo, will travel to New York in May to collect the award.

He said: “We are very happy, I am proud of the work we’ve done and we want to celebrate. It is very important for us because it is a recognition for all the work we have done over five years.”

He added that those who criticised the work were upset by change.

Cultural heritage campaigners Hispania Nostra said the project was ‘truly lamentable’.

“No words are needed, you just need to look at the photographs,” it said.

Architecture has seen a growing trend of restoring ruins with blank additions.