Issue 38 Summer web 23 - Flipbook - Page 50
An ambitious renovation of a dairy
farm provides exemplary standards of
accessibility and sustainability, without
compromising its unique historic and
agricultural character
Surrounded by rolling fields, wetlands and a riverbank,
Wraxall Yard is situated in the heart of the West Country.
Clementine Blakemore Architects were entrusted to
convert and rebuild a collection of derelict barns for this
not-for-profit organisation, run by father-daughter team,
Nick and Katie Read. The philosophy behind this
project - to create a multifunctional development with
accessibility for all; with an educational farm, community
space and a series of holiday cottages.
As the collection of buildings sat within the West Dorset
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it was
essential the buildings were sympathetically restored,
retaining the agricultural aesthetic.
Any renovation project in an AONB requires a good
partnership between Planners, Architects and Contractors. In this case, the West Dorset Planning Authority
worked with Clementine Blakemore and the Contractor,
Stonewood Builders, to support a collective vision of
sympathetic restoration that retains the agricultural
aesthetic, whilst also utilising the latest design technology
to create a fully inclusive and accessible space.
Below, Wraxall Yard, Lower Wraxall, Dorset.
Rooflight design was considered early on as a key
feature
Once the brief was defined, it was clear that the properties
would require plenty of natural lighting. So as the project
moved to RIBA stage two with construction still in
concept design, Clementine Blakemore solicited the
support of the Rooflight Company’s Innovation Team on
the best approach for integrating rooflights.
Clementine explained the rooflights’ instrumental role in
creating cross ventilation in conjunction with the doors,
ensuring the spaces were not only light and bright, but
also well-ventilated for the comfort of its guests.
Accessibility lies at the heart of the project and was the
driving factor for requiring motorised opening rooflights
with rain sensors, allowing visitors to have full control of
room temperatures with ease.
Initially, the planning preference was for conservation
rooflights due to the age of the buildings. However,
discussion between the professional team and planners
concluded that the contemporary design of the Rooflight
Company’s neo® rooflights were the ideal solution.
