Buttress

Rock Hall's journey continues. Following the recent announcement of The National Lottery Heritage Fund support, plans to restore and reimagine this important historic building have now secured planning permission and listed building consent. Working alongside Bolton Council and Lancashire Wildlife Trust we're helping bring the Grade II listed Rock Hall back into active use – creating a place that connects people with heritage, learning and the landscape that surrounds it. With funding secured and planning approved, we're looking ahead to the next stage: delivering a project that safeguards the building's future and broadens opportunities for the community to engage with it. Buttress associate, Lucy Ashcroft commented: "This is an exciting milestone in the life of the project. We look forward to developing and delivering the scheme to bring an important community asset back into use for generations to come. Historic places matter most when people can experience and enjoy them. Now, we're a step closer to making that happen." Fellstone Projects I Parker Wilson Consulting I Booth King Partnership Ltd I 'Urban Green I Appleyard & Trew LLP I Ingleton Wood Stephen Anderson Sebastian Chambers Rhiannon Williams Jenna Johnston #Buttress #HeritageConsultancy #ConservationArchitecture #CommunityReuse

Early evening summer sunshine has brought a new perspective to our Chorlton Baths scheme. ☀️ Captured candidly by a colleague who lives nearby, these latest images show the project nearing completion with the balconies now installed across the development. Designed for MSV Housing and delivered by Caddick Construction Limited the 50-home later-living scheme has been shaped around HAPPI principles, prioritising daylight, outdoor space and opportunities for community connection. After several years of design and construction, it's rewarding to see these ideas taking shape in such a tangible way. David Coulson I Stephen Sullivan #Buttress #ChorltonBaths #LaterLiving #Architecture

Rock Hall has reached this point through real collective effort and we're proud of the result. This funding marks an important step in bringing a historic place back into use - shaped by many hands and shared ambition. It’s about creating a space that connects people with heritage, learning and landscape. We look forward to delivering the project and acknowledge that it wouldn't be possible without the support of the National Lottery players. The National Lottery Heritage Fund Bolton Council Lancashire Wildlife Trust #Heritage #Restoration #SocialValue #Buttress #Architecture

Our residential team attended the recent Housing 2026 conference in Manchester - a valuable chance to connect, listen and be part of the conversations shaping the future of housing. Across sessions and discussions, one theme kept coming back: it’s not just about delivering more homes, but delivering the right homes - places that support everyday life and create lasting value for communities. It was also great to see so much work being recognised. Congratulations to all the award winners, particularly This City, in partnership with Manchester City Council, for securing Landlord of the Year at the Unlock Net Zero Awards. We were also pleased to see our work on No. 1 Ancoats Green shortlisted for Development of the Year. In addition, this scheme also recently scooped Residential Project of the Year at the North West Regional Construction Awards as submitted by Wates Group. Buttress director Ben Tabiner said: “Events like Housing 2026 remind us that good housing starts with people. The challenge isn’t just scale - it’s quality, longevity and creating places that truly work for the communities they serve. There’s a real opportunity to think differently about what we already have and how we design for the future.” 📸 Gavin Stewart #Housing2026 #SocialValue #BuiltEnvironment

Have you got your tickets yet? Join Buttress director Chithra Marsh and other speakers at RIBA North West Region's Summer Symposium. ✨Booking closes today, Tuesday 7 July at 12 midnight ⏳ Don’t miss out on the conversations shaping the future of architecture.

“Willohaus proves Passivhaus can scale for affordable housing. Success came from aligning design, delivery and long-term performance – not just meeting technical standards. Informed by how residents actually live, it sets a new benchmark for low-carbon, people-focused neighbourhoods" - Alison Haigh, Associate, Buttress. Designed by Buttress, Willohaus continues a growing body of high-performance housing in Salford, following our delivery of Greenhaus in 2024. Heather Mason I Juliet Tremble I Martin Kirkpatrick #Buttress #architecture #Passivhaus #Salford #affordablehousing

The Exchange, Blackburn is a beloved Grade II listed building at the heart of Blackburn's cultural history, which we're proud to have brought back into community use following the completion of the first phase of a long-term conservation-led refurbishment programme. We're delighted to see this beautiful historic building opened up to the public again. As part of our refurbishment programme we've opened up the iconic octagonal entrance tower to both principal levels which was previously not possible, with new staircases constructed and a lift providing step-free access to all levels for the first time in the building's history. We've included new toilet facilities to support future uses, and our conservation philosophy has focused on retaining and presenting the historic features and development of the building whilst enhancing it with new elements. Built in 1865, the building has continually adapted - from cotton exchange to performance hall, and later as a restaurant and cinema before closing in 2005. After a decade vacant, Re:Source reimagined it as an inclusive, flexible destination for Blackburn. Today, it’s designed to support a wide range of uses, from exhibitions and events to everyday community activity. This weekend, and after missing last year due to construction work, the Exchange will once again host the National Festival of Making which we know is a particularly popular event for the local Blackburn community. The project holds personal significance for Grant Prescott, Associate Director at Buttress, who is from Blackburn and fondly remembers visiting the cinema in his childhood: "This building hold so many memories for me, it's a full circle moment to have worked on this project and to now see if fully reestablished in the community. I feel very proud to have played my part in restoring his magnificent building for the people of Blackburn." Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Read more about the venue and its history here: https://buff.ly/T9UfocT #retrofit #heritage #architecture #Buttress

The RIBA Presidency results are now in, and we’d like to extend our congratulations to Jay Morton for being elected as the next president. We wish her all the very best when she takes up the new presidency role in September 2027. Buttress director Chithra Marsh commented: "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for me - but it wasn’t to be. Win or lose, I don't believe meaningful change begins with a list of promises. It begins with strong foundations, and I will support our new RIBA President in every way I can to challenge, engage and bring about the change our industry is crying out for. A huge congratulations to Jay and thank you to the other candidates, Duncan Baker-Brown and Austin Williams. It's been an absolute please running alongside you. I appreciated the collegiate nature in which we all worked together and supported each other. I hope that we get to continue the relationship into the future.” Here at Buttress, we’re proud of everything Chithra has achieved throughout her presidency campaign and indeed throughout her career. Her voice will continue to shape conversations, challenge thinking and inspire positive change. Read more about the election results on the RIBA website here: https://buff.ly/2i8Pu3e #Buttress #ChithraMarsh #RIBAPresidency #architecture

Most people see historic buildings. We see responsibility. A huge congratulations to Samantha K. Jenny Wilkinson and Stephen Kendall on achieving AABC Conservation Accreditation. This isn’t just a title. It’s recognition of the judgement, technical understanding and experience required to work with some of the most sensitive and significant buildings in the UK. Today, we have more accredited architects than all but three other organisations in the UK. Plus outside London, our Manchester studio now leads the way in terms of the number of AABC conservation professionals all in one location. As Buttress director Neal Charlton, puts it: “Accreditation isn’t just about individual achievement - it’s about giving clients the confidence that the decisions we make are informed, responsible and rooted in real conservation expertise.” For our clients, partners and collaborators, that matters. We know when you’re working with historic places, experience isn’t a ‘nice to have’ - it is essential. AABC : The Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation #Conservation #Heritage #Architecture #AABC #BuiltEnvironment #Buttress

Todmorden pavilion and bandstand are now complete, strengthening Centre Vale Park as a year-round community destination. Delivered for Todmorden Town Council, the project replaces an outdated facility with a flexible, low-carbon pavilion designed for bowling clubs and the wider community. Set within a conservation area, the pavilion responds to its sensitive context through a modest form and durable, low-impact materials, including reclaimed stone and charred timber. Accessibility is central, with level access and inclusive design enabling use by all. Alongside the pavilion, we led the repair of the Grade II listed Edwardian bandstand, preserving its distinctive character while improving resilience and usability. Todmorden bandstand is an unusual theatre type of bandstand of which fewer than 15 are known to have been built across the UK before the First World War. Built in 1914, the rare bandstand is the only surviving example known in England of this type. Together, the works secure a more inclusive, sustainable future for this valued public space. Christopher Nils Shaw at Buttress, said: “Centre Vale Park carries generations of memories. In restoring the bandstand, we've helped to protect that history, allowing the next generation of musicians and performers to use one of the last remaining bandstands of its kind. Alongside this, it has been a privilege to create a new community pavilion, which will serve the local area and continue to strengthen the park as a civic destination for years to come.” Edward Kepczyk I Stephen Kendall I Courtnay Ives Todmorden Town Council 📰 Read more about the project here: https://buff.ly/gVyrVMU 📰 More information on Historic England's website about the bandstand: https://buff.ly/sUU7b8Y 📷️ Image credits: Gavin Stewart