Fore Street-based architectural practice, Thread, has won two major national awards.
At the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony, its Buttermarket project in Cornwall received the inaugural RIBA Conservation Award 2026 and the RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize 2026.
The Conservation Award recognises the sensitive restoration of a complex of significant historic buildings in Redruth and the architectural talent behind its transformation.
The jury, chaired by Liz Smith of Purcell, praised how the scheme “reveals and celebrates the site’s historic character while preserving the rich details of its existing buildings”.
The Buttermarket was originally established in 1825-26 as part of Redruth’s historic market complex.
It comprises five Grade II-listed buildings around a central courtyard and has been transformed through a carefully considered programme of heritage-led regeneration.
The Buttermarket is now home to Cornwall’s first food hall, bringing together six independent street-food kitchens alongside retail, gallery, office and community spaces (photos below).
Claire Fear, Director of Thread, said: “It means a lot to us for the Buttermarket to be awarded the first ever RIBA Conservation Award, recognising the value of a research-led process in drawing out and revealing the heart and soul of the buildings.”
The Stephen Lawrence Prize celebrates emerging architectural talent and projects led by early-career project architects.
Matthew Goldschmied, chair of the 2026 Stephen Lawrence Prize jury, described the Buttermarket as “a compelling story of trust and interdependency evolved through architectural ingenuity.”
The jury recognised Jen Boddington of Thread’s contribution, highlighting the “diligence, determination and creativity” she brought to the project.
The awards follow the Buttermarket’s success at the 2026 RIBA South West & Wessex Awards, where it received an RIBA Award, Claire Fear was named Project Architect of the Year, and Redruth Revival CIC received Client of the Year.
The project was also shortlisted for the national RIBA Reinvention Award, while Redruth Revival was shortlisted for the RIBA Client of the Year Award.
Thread is currently working on the Tone Works site in Wellington which was recently given a further £4.6 million in Levelling Up Funding to allow critical structural and roof repairs to take place. This brings the total of LUF for Tone Works to £8.3 million.
ABOVE: Thread and Redruth CIC collect the RIBA Conservation Award for the Buttermarket with Claire Fear, third from left, and Jen Boddington, fourth from left (image: Scott Little / RIBA).
BELOW: Dame Doreen Lawrence and Matthew Goldschmeid present Jen Boddington with the Stephen Lawrence Prize (image: Scott Little / RIBA).
BELOW: Photos of the transformed Buttermarket in Redruth.
