Upcycle Kernow Opens Retrofitted Community Workshop in WWII Building

A former WWII garage in Cornwall has been given a new lease of life after a major retrofit transformed it into a warm, light-filled community workshop for Upcycle Kernow.

The redevelopment was delivered by Crow Architecture, working alongside Lane Architects and Pink Pebble Property Consultants. All three companies are based at the Cornwall Innovation Centres, with Crow Architecture and Lane Architects at Tremough Innovation Centre and Pink Pebble at Pool Innovation Centre.

Breathing New Life Into a Historic Building

Upcycle Kernow’s new home was once a garage dating back to 1941, part of the RAF Portreath Women’s Dispersed Accommodation. The building had been cold, damp and difficult to use, but has now been reimagined as a vibrant workshop where waste materials are reused as valuable resources.

The original structure has been retained and carefully upgraded. Improvements include an airtight timber-framed envelope, triple-glazed windows, rooflights to bring in natural daylight, and a newly insulated floor. Much of the original fabric, including blockwork walls, steel trusses and sarking boards, has been reused to preserve the building’s character while reducing carbon impact.

Design Guided by Reuse and Community

Crow Architecture’s approach focused on conserving what was already there and adapting it for long-term community use. The practice combines architecture, heritage and retrofit expertise, with an emphasis on social and environmental resilience.

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.”

Volunteers have already reported increased engagement, praising the improved daylight, ventilation and easier access for people with limited mobility.

Collaboration Across Cornwall Innovation Centres

Matt Harrington, Head of Cornwall Innovation Centres, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project.

“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,” he said. “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 supported by Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme, alongside significant volunteer time and donated materials. Upcycle Kernow also appointed a newly formed, female-led contractor and ran community workshops throughout the design process, making the build itself a learning experience.

What Happens Next

The renewed space now hosts a weekly repair café, a tool library and a range of workshops. Over the next five years, Upcycle Kernow plans to add a sorting shed and refill porch, further developing the site as a place to share skills and demonstrate how waste can be reclaimed locally.

The Cornwall Innovation Centres operate from three sites across the county: the Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre in Truro, the Pool Innovation Centre in Pool, and the Tremough Innovation Centre in Penryn.