Clementine Blakemore Architects founder Clementine Blakemore describes her shock at her "first proper building commission" being shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in this exclusive interview.
Blakemore was surprised to find her Wraxall Yard holiday accommodation project shortlisted for this year's award alongside projects by much more established studios including Mikhail Riches, Jamie Fobert Architects, Allies and Morrison and Grimshaw ? all of which have been Stirling Prize shortlisted before.
"We were really shocked and surprised," Blakemore told Dezeen.
"We entered the RIBA awards, really not thinking necessarily we would get past the regional round, so we were really excited when we got through to the national awards. And, yeah, very shocked we got through to the Stirling." Clementine Blakemore's "first proper building commission" has been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. Photo by Max Creasy
Clementine Blakemore Architects overhauled a group of 19th-century agricultural buildings in Dorset to create five accessible holiday homes as well as a community space and workshop.
Dezeen recently published a video focused on the renovation, which was the studio's first major building commission.
"The practice had started a couple of years earlier when I did a residency at the Design Museum and built a pavilion in the grounds of the former Commonwealth Institute building," said Blakemore.
"I'd also done smaller projects ...