Buttermarket shortlisted for four special RIBA awards
The RIBA have announced this week that the Buttermarket, the transformative regeneration of a historic market site in Redruth, Cornwall has been shortlisted for four special prizes in its national awards programme.
The inaugural RIBA Conservation Award recognises the importance of conserving the architecture that surrounds us; celebrating cultural continuity and integrating historic buildings with contemporary needs. The RIBA Reinvention Award recognises achievement in the creative reuse of existing buildings through transformative projects. The Stephen Lawrence Prize awards the best project led by an early career Project Architect -Thread’s Jen Boddington led The Buttermarket project - celebrating new architectural talent.
In addition, Redruth Revival CIC have shortlisted as RIBA Client of the Year honouring the key role that a good client plays in the creation of fine architecture.
The Buttermarket is a heritage-led regeneration of five Grade II-listed buildings around a central courtyard in Redruth, Cornwall, part of the Redruth Conservation Area and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. Originally built in 1825 as a market for agricultural trade, the site had become neglected after years of unsympathetic additions and decline.
Acquired in 2017 by Redruth Revival CIC, the project aimed to safeguard the site’s cultural significance and revive it as a vibrant hub for local enterprise. Through careful conservation, selective demolition, and the introduction of a contemporary food hall, the scheme has restored the site’s architectural character, reinstated historic views, and embraced a philosophy of minimal intervention. Reclaimed materials and matching historic features reflect its legacy of adaptation. The project also included innovative use of bespoke 100% recycled materials and achieved outstanding sustainable credentials.
Claire Fear, Founding Director and Project Architect at Thread, said:
“That the Buttermarket is being recognised on a national level by these awards is hugely gratifying. Our ultimate goal was to contribute to Redruth’s wider regeneration while preserving the historic integrity of the Buttermarket. Our work at the Buttermarket proves the power of adaptive reuse, demonstrating how historic sites can be reimagined as thriving contemporary spaces and have a great impact on regional communities. The project respects the past while embracing the future, ensuring that the Buttermarket remains an important part of Cornwall’s cultural and social fabric. This kind of project takes a brave client, and we couldn’t have asked for one more engaged and committed than Redruth Revival CIC.”
Ross Williams, Chair of the Board at Redruth Revival CIC, said:
“The directors of Redruth Revival CIC are a small group of local activists and volunteers who have spent more than 10 years getting the Buttermarket project to fruition. When we started, the buildings were in a very poor state, and there was a real risk they would be demolished as they were mostly unlisted at that point. We’re delighted that the success of the project is being recognised at national level and this all helps towards our goal of breathing new life into Redruth town centre. We have loved working with the team at Thread, and it’s a real joy to see their expertise being recognised as well”
The shortlists for the RIBA Special awards are drawn from the winners of the RIBA Regional awards. The Buttermarket was the winner of four awards at the RIBA Southwest and Wessex Awards: a regional award, the Southwest and Wessex Project of the Year, Client of the Year and Project Architect of the Year. The winners of all of the RIBA Special Awards will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize Ceremony on 15 October, at Old Billingsgate Market in London.