Accessible holiday lets win top architectural prize

The five cottages are set within a wheelchair-friendly site

A group of holiday lets designed with accessibility in mind have been recognised in the prestigious annual architectural RIBA Sterling Prize awards.

The converted dairy buildings at Wraxall Yard in West Dorset won the Stephen Lawrence Prize, awarded to emerging talents in architecture.

Architect Clementine Blakemore worked with owner and director Nick Read on the "universal design" to suit people of all abilities.

Their aim was to remove day-to-day obstacles faced by people with access needs.

The cottages have different specifications to cater for a range of requirements

Mr Read embarked on the project having seen first-hand the challenges faced by his mother who had MS and used a wheelchair.

He said: "We knew from her experience how difficult it was to find any holiday accommodation that was appropriate and not ugly or institutional.

"She was an artist and designer and was offended by the way the built environment ignored the needs of people like her.

"We prefer to describe it as universal design – you will notice things like grab handles in the shower but the design is very clever, it's not in your face."

A community space can also accommodate larger groups

Mr Read said about 70% of Wraxall's visitors had access needs and included older people who were not disabled but found the environment less challenging.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Ms Blakemore said the success of the project was down to Mr Read's vision as well as the "team effort" involving designers, engineers, consultants and craftspeople.

She said: "It has put inclusivity on the agenda and shows what can be achieved when you think about it from the very start and have high aspirations to make it as elegant and seamlessly integrated into the design as possible."

The Stephen Lawrence Prize is awarded in memory of Stephen Lawrence, the black teenager and aspiring architect who was murdered in a racially-motivated attack in south London 1993.

The winner of the prize also becomes a mentor to an architectural student who sits on the judging panel.