Upcycle Kernow: Community Workshop © Dawn Thompson

Upcycle Kernow was awarded Highly Commended by the RIBAJ MacEwen Awards in February 2026. The MacEwen Award celebrates Architecture for the Common Good. In its 10th year, the MacEwen Award draws attention to “projects that bring communities everywhere together, and act with a greater purpose...” (Isabelle Priest)

Having the project recognised by the MacEwen Award is wonderful, over its 10 year life the award has promoted and celebrated a huge number of projects that show architecture can be a force for social good. We need the hope that it engenders, now more than ever. We are very proud to be recognised as part of that movement.

Flo Armitage-Hookes, concludes her article in the RIBA Journal by saying:

“Upcycle Kernow is a hard-fought, principled and generous scheme which exudes “common good” for its users, makers and the environment alike. Although small, it doesn’t shy away from big issues, including designing for disassembly and the circular economy. “It is absolutely brilliant,” summarised MacEwen Award juror Hugh Pearman”.

Client:Upcycle Kernow CIC
Architect: Crow Architecture (Lead Architect) with Andrea Lane, Lane Architects (Stage 1-3 & 5-6)
Janie Hinton Architect and Studio Battersby Edgley (Stage 1-2)
Structural Engineer: Form Consulting
Cost Consultant and Principal Designer CDM: Pink Pebble
Principal Designer BR: Crow Architecture
Contractor: Social Constructs

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Architecture for the common good

auditory plan