Upcycle Kernow unveils light-filled community space after retrofit by Crow Architecture

A trio of companies based at the Cornwall Innovation Centres have collaborated to deliver a transformative redevelopment for Upcycle Kernow, creating a warm, light-filled community workshop that brings new life to a historic WWII building. The project was delivered by Crow Architecture with Lane Architects, both based at Tremough Innovation Centre, together with Pink Pebble Property Consultants from Pool Innovation Centre.

Working with communities across Cornwall to secure sustainable futures for underused or redundant land and buildings, Crow Architecture’s work begins with conserving the heritage already in place, then adapting it so spaces can continue to support local people for generations. The practice brings together architecture, heritage and retrofit expertise, with a clear focus on long-term social and environmental resilience.

Upcycle Kernow’s new home is a former garage from the 1941 RAF Portreath Women’s Dispersed Accommodation. Once cold, damp and difficult to use, the building has been reimagined as a vibrant community workshop where waste becomes a valuable resource. The original structure has been retained and carefully upgraded, with an airtight timber-framed envelope, triple-glazed windows, generous rooflights and a new insulated floor. Much of the original fabric, from blockwork walls to steel trusses and sarking boards, has been reused, saving significant carbon and preserving the building’s linear form and character.

Frances Crow, Director of Crow Architecture, said: “This has been a rare chance to breathe new life into a WWII building that once supported women during the original ‘make do and mend’ era. Upcycle Kernow’s ethos of reusing materials and up-skilling the community guided every design decision, from retaining the steel trusses to repurposing the front door as a sliding partition. Their desire for a warm, welcoming, credible space aligns with our belief that demolition is a last resort. The result is a building that feels both rooted in its history and fully equipped to help the community reduce waste, share knowledge and build a resilient future.”

The improved warmth, visibility and accessibility have already boosted user engagement, with volunteers praising the daylight, ventilation and ease of access for people with limited mobility.

Matt Harrington, Head of Cornwall Innovation Centres, added: “The partnership between Crow Architecture, Pink Pebble, Lane Architects and Upcycle Kernow shows exactly what can happen when creativity and community-led purpose come together. We see more than 180 businesses across our centres, and collaborations like this remind us how much innovation can grow when people share knowledge and make bold use of the resources already around them. This project is a brilliant example of how Cornwall continues to lead in sustainable thinking.”

The redevelopment was delivered with the support of Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme, alongside significant volunteer time and donated materials. Upcycle Kernow’s team also appointed a newly formed, female-led contractor and coordinated community workshops throughout the design process, ensuring the project became a hands-on learning experience in its own right.

The renewed building now hosts a weekly repair café, tool library, and a range of workshops. Over the next five years, Upcycle Kernow plans to add a sorting shed and refill porch, strengthening the site as a test bed for up-skilling community builders and demonstrating how waste can be reclaimed as a valuable local resource.