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A innovative version of the traditional almshouse, deliberately designed to reduce loneliness, has received a prestigious architecture accolade for Britain's best new building.

The Appleby Blue development, which offers low-cost apartments for over-65s in a London borough, has won this year's Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

This complex, located in a London neighborhood, includes 59 flats along with shared facilities, such as a roof garden, central courtyard and shared kitchen.

The Stirling Prize panel said it "creates an ambitious standard for affordable homes among seniors".

The architectural team Witherford Watson Mann have developed "excellent" and "considerate" environments to foster environments that really care for their residents", according to a jury member.

This building was applauded for its "generous" residences, terracotta-tiled corridors with built-in seats and plants, and a water feature that provides the building the "feeling of a natural sanctuary".

That produces an "inspiring living environment" that exists "in stark contrast to the impersonal feel often found in older people's accommodation".

This awarded building was built on the site of an former residential facility by a charitable organization, which supports the flats for individuals on low incomes.

Charitable housing were conventionally established from the historical times to supply benevolent shelter for those in need.

The winning project beat a selection of other nominated buildings and architecture works to claim this year's Stirling Prize, including the renovation of the Elizabeth Tower in London to a modern design school, a science laboratory and an "inventive" house addition.

The remaining candidates included:

• The restored Elizabeth Tower
• Another architectural project

This award is presented to the building judged to be "the most significant of the year for the progress of building design and the urban landscape", and is assessed on criteria such as creative approach, creativity and uniqueness.

It is the architectural firm's second occasion as prize-taking architects, over a decade after they were chosen for their plan for a innovative contemporary retreat within the ancient heritage building in Warwickshire.

A major infrastructure development - the city's transverse rail line - won the prestigious prize the previous year.

Further previous winners of the prize - originally given in 1996 - include Merseyside's cultural venue, coastal landmark and the Scottish Parliament building in the Scottish capital.