Case Study: Connectors – Anchors – Fasteners

Words: Dan KamysApril 2016

Cintec Technology Aids in Restoration of Award-Winning 12th-Century Castle

Cintec Technology Aids in Restoration of Award-Winning 12th-Century Castle CINTEC International, a leader in the field of structural masonry retrofit strengthening, repair and preservation, announced that its patented anchors were used in the restoration of Astley Castle in Nuneaton, North Warwickshire, U.K. Following its renovations, Astley Castle was awarded the prestigious Riba Stirling Prize for Architecture. Cintec teamed up with architects and engineers from Mann Williams and Newport-based Protectahome to restore the castle. Cintec assisted Protectahome with the first phase of restoration, which included structural repairs and stabilizing the remaining walls of the building prior to rebuilding. Cintec’s patented anchors were used to stitch together and strengthen the walls.
Cintec Technology Aids in Restoration of Award-Winning 12th-Century Castle Cintec Technology Aids in Restoration of Award-Winning 12th-Century Castle
The process of restoring Astley Castle involved using a diamond drill to insert steel anchors into the building. Once in place, grout was pumped into a special sleeve surrounding the anchor, and air was pumped out. Cores removed during this process were retained and reused where the anchors were installed, leaving an almost invisible repair. The work has ensured the survival of the original walls, allowing the award-winning holiday home to be built within the shell of the ancient castle. The Riba Stirling Prize is the U.K.’s most prestigious architectural award. Judging is based on original, imaginative and well-executed designs that excellently meet the needs of their users and inspire those who use and visit them. Cintec Technology Aids in Restoration of Award-Winning 12th-Century Castle “The restoration work on Astley Castle was an impressive enterprise, as anyone who saw the castle prior to its transformation could have been forgiven for thinking it a hopeless ruin,” said Peter James, managing director of Cintec International. “To be awarded the Riba Stirling Prize demonstrates the true extent of its transformation. It has now been turned into a structurally stable building that will stand the test of time and can be enjoyed by many people in its reincarnation as a holiday home.” Cintec anchors have been used to restore historically significant buildings across the globe, including Windsor Castle, the White House and extensive work on Egypt’s pyramids. A video tour of the house is available on the “ribaarchitecture” YouTube channel. The final project worked to a 60:40 ratio of old to new masonry construction.
For more information, visit www.cintec.com.
Masonry Repair and Retrofit: Materials and Systems for Long-Term Performance
May 2026

Masonry has defined architecture for centuries, prized for its strength, durability, and timeless aesthetic appeal. From historic sites to modern designs, masonry buildings are durable and visually distinctive. However, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw c

David Biggs
Technical Talks
Read More
Rethinking Shelf Angle Design for High-Performance Masonry Walls
May 2026

If you've been around masonry construction long enough, you know the shelf angle is one of those details that’s easy to take for granted. It’s been used the same way for decades, set it at the slab edge, support the veneer, move on. But as building requir

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
When Schedules Tighten, Experience Shows
May 2026

In construction, schedules rarely open up; they tighten. Weather delays, trade coordination, and last-minute scope changes all add pressure, even on jobs that were planned down to the minute. When that happens, experienced masons don’t start cutting corne

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Read More
Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More