Buttermarket into Community Hub

Thread revitalises historic Buttermarket into arts-led community hub in Cornwall. Thread has designed and delivered the transformative regeneration of a historic market site in Redruth, Cornwall.

Located in Redruth, Buttermarket comprises five Grade II-listed buildings surrounding a large central courtyard.

The clients, Redruth Revival CIC, acquired the property in 2017 to safeguard its cultural significance and potential to be restored as a vibrant community hub for arts, culture, and local business.

A key intervention was the removal of 1970s mining-exchange extensions to reopen the central courtyard, revealing the original arches and improving flow and visibility throughout the site.

The project now delivers 100% level access across all floors and facilities, promoting inclusivity for all visitors.

The revitalised Buttermarket now introduces a new ground-floor courtyard extension, housing a food hall with communal seating areas and promoting community engagement.

It accommodates six kitchens, a coffee unit, and a bar, while the first floor features artist studios, an independent gallery, and a community radio station.

Sustainability and materiality play a key role in supporting Buttermarket's revival.

A shining example of reuse and creative ingenuity was the development of 700 recycled glass shingles, which clad the internal courtyard extension façade.

Originally, Thread explored using recycled plastics, but fire safety concerns led them to seek alternatives.

Thread worked with specialist glass designer Dr. Tyra Oseng-Rees to develop a durable, low-carbon material that is playful, translucent, textured, and complements the historic building fabric.

Dr. Oseng-Rees and Thread worked closely to test the shingles for freeze-thaw durability, and the tiles were treated with a hydrophobic coating to prevent water from becoming trapped and causing biological plant growth, ensuring longevity in the exposed setting.

The recycled glass shingles required less water and a fifth of the carbon to produce compared to traditional float glass.

Remarkably, the kiln operated for 87 days continuously at a reduced temperature, further minimising the overall carbon footprint.

Existing arch-headed timber window frames were restored and reused to conserve the embodied energy and craftsmanship of the original structure.

Three cast-iron columns, reclaimed from different project sites, now serve as structural supports for the new façade, while additional granite columns were sourced by the client from Facebook marketplace to complete the colonnade.

Thread tackled the challenge of achieving a historic covered market that complied with modern Building Regulations by creating a bespoke heating strategy where the dining seating area is a large draft lobby between the exterior and insulated internal areas of the building.

Since its reopening, Buttermarket has attracted over 19,000 visitors, drawing significant public interest and generating positive feedback.

The Buttermarket's transformation positions it as a cornerstone of the local community, demonstrating how thoughtful, community-led regeneration can drive economic growth, create jobs, and restore local pride.

Research indicates that public investment in infrastructure can lead to substantial long-term economic benefits, such as a consistent 1% increase in public investment raising potential output by 0.5% after five years and by 2.5% in the long run.

Thread's work at 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.

Claire Fear, Founding Director and Architect at Thread, said: "Our ultimate goal was to contribute to Redruth's wider regeneration while preserving the historic integrity of Buttermarket.

In particular, we sought to honor the local tradition of reuse, carefully selecting recycled and reclaimed materials to create inviting spaces that foster human connection and are welcoming to all people."

Ross Williams, Director at Redruth Revival CIC, said: "The Buttermarket has been in the works for several years, and now to see it as a thriving hub for the local community makes me immensely proud.