Clementine Blakemore Architects has been shortlisted for the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize for the project Wraxall Yard in Dorset. Clementine Blakemore Architects sensitively repaired a dilapidated dairy farm to convert it into highly accessible holiday accommodation, with public spaces aimed at boosting engagement with wildlife and farming. Motivated by frustration at the standard of available wheelchair accessible accommodation across the UK, the development offers extensive yet discreet accessible features, providing disabled guests – particularly wheelchair users – with a high degree of independence. Clever landscaping removes the need for ramps and obvious handrails. At the same time, a mix of polished concrete floors and exposed doorframes reduced drag and mitigate bumps for wheelchairs, widening access to this previously inaccessible site.

The project architect, Clementine Blakemore, has been awarded RIBA South West Project Architect of the Year. As Nick Read says, ‘It takes a special talent to master all the essential elements of being an architect; creative and technical design, project and contract management, steering a client through an unfamiliar process, and so on. Without doubt, Clem has achieved all this to an exceptional level. I doubt there is a more satisfied client than me, truly overwhelmed by the finished result, delivered without stress and on budget.’

First awarded in 1996, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction.

Image: Photograph by Lorenzo Zandri.