Architectural Thread Wins Prestigious RIBA Award 2026 — With Oseng‑Rees Reflection’s Material Innovation Recognised in the Awards Announcement
Architectural Thread Wins Prestigious RIBA Award 2026 — With Oseng‑Rees Reflection’s Material Innovation Recognised in the Awards Announcement
Architectural Thread’s rejuvenation of The Buttermarket has been honoured with some of the highest accolades in British architecture, securing the 2026 RIBA South West & Wessex Award, alongside Project Architect of the Year and Client of the Year. As part of the multidisciplinary tem behind the project, Oseng‑Rees Reflection contributed the recycled‑glass material innovation that was specifically highlighted in the awards announcement for its role in shaping the building’s renewed identity and sustainable character.
RIBA’s judges praised the project for demonstrating how heritage can be a powerful platform for civic renewal. The Buttermarket stands as a compelling example of how thoughtful collaboration, spanning architecture, engineering, sustainability, and material innovation, can breathe new life into historic structures while strengthening their role in the community.
A Collaborative Success
The award recognises the collective expertise of the project team, whose contributions shaped every stage of the development:
Contractor: Jewell Construction
Structural Engineer: PCA Consulting Engineers
Environmental / M&E Engineer: Method Consulting
Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant: Trevor Humphreys Associates
Recycled Glass Artist: Oseng‑Rees Reflection
Together, the team delivered a project that honours the site’s heritage while introducing bold, sustainable interventions, including the repurposing of 1.5 tonnes of waste glass bottles, a key feature that captured the judges’ attention for its material innovation and circular‑economy approach.
A Moment of Pride
Signed by RIBA President Chris Williamson, the award celebrates not only the architectural excellence of the scheme but also its contribution to the built environment of the South West and Wessex region. For everyone involved, from designers and engineers to artists and community partners, this recognition is a powerful affirmation of what collaborative, future‑focused design can achieve.
The Buttermarket’s success story continues to inspire, proving that heritage spaces can be reimagined with sensitivity, sustainability, and bold creative vision.
Buttermarket Redruth - Thread Photo by Claire Fear
