Thread Architects

08/05/2026

Non-Designated Heritage Assets: Community, Conservation and Creative Reuse

Rachel and Andy recently attended the West Midlands Heritage CPD Day on Non-Designated Heritage Assets (NDHAs), where we were delighted to share our experience of working with these important but often overlooked structures. From highlighting inconsistencies in Local Listings to inspiring community-led projects like The Fox at Loxley, the day reinforced the value of identifying and supporting NDHAs early in the process.

A key takeaway? These assets may not be formally designated, but they play a vital role in shaping local communities and identities and deserve careful stewardship for future generations.

We’ve written a full blog with key insights, case studies, and reflections from the day - link in Bio!

With thanks to West Midlands Heritage and all the speakers for an inspiring and thought-provoking event.

21/04/2026

We are delighted to be participating in the West Midlands Heritage Trust Annual CPD Day on 29 April.

Hosted at the Wolverhampton Arts Centre, this year’s event will explore the theme of Non-Designated Heritage Assets, bringing together professionals and community groups from across the sector.

Rachel and Andy will be sharing insights, inspiration, and practical approaches to sustaining our built heritage for future generations. Using examples from our practice from conserving historic fabric to introducing thoughtful contemporary interventions, we’ll explore how to honour the past while shaping spaces for the future - ensuring historic spaces remain relevant, functional, and valued for generations to come.

We look forward to connecting with fellow professionals and contributing to this important conversation. If you’re attending, do come and say hello.

Link in bio for more information and to book your tickets: Non-Designated Heritage Assets Learning Day – West Midlands Heritage


WestMidlands ProfessionalDevelopment

14/04/2026

Tom recently left the practice after six fantastic years with the team.

Tom joined us in 2020 as an apprentice in Partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, starting his Thread journey in the unusual circumstances of the first COVID lockdown. From day one, his positivity, curiosity, and willingness to get stuck in have made him a joy to work with. Qualifying as an Architect during his time at Thread, he has supported many of our clients with warmth and professionalism, always bringing a calm, friendly presence to every project.

He’s also been instrumental in shaping our online presence - a contribution that will continue to influence how we share our work and values.

It’s been a pleasure watching Tom grow, develop, and achieve so much. Although we’ll miss him, we’re incredibly proud of everything he’s accomplished and excited for what comes next.

Wishing you all the very best for the next chapter, Tom!

22/03/2026

It’s the last day of the Homebuilding and Renovating show at the NEC today!

In the last few days we’ve answered questions on how to start a project, building costs, planning problems, self-builds in the countryside, passive, low energy design and existing home extensions and barn conversions.

Building projects can feel daunting. We aim to make the journey clear and manageable, guiding you through design, planning, and delivery so you can move forward with confidence and create spaces that transform everyday life.

Andy and Rachel are there until 4pm today, so come and ask them anything!

21/03/2026

21/03/2026

It’s Saturday at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Birmingham!

Today you can catch Andy at The Advice Centre as part of the “Ask the Architect” sessions. These free 15-minute consultations can be booked with a range of expert professionals, just head over to The Advice Centre to secure your slot.

With a passion for creative, contextual design and extensive experience as a Design Midlands review panel member, Andy is perfectly placed to help unlock your project’s full potential.

You'll also find Anya and Rachel on our stand, both Architects with over 15 years of knowledge in practice and personal experience of their own self build projects. They're looking forward to hearing about your project ideas to help you take the next step.

Got more questions or looking for inspiration? Come and have a chat!

20/03/2026

Rachel and Tom are looking forward to talking to you today at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show!

Visit our stand to explore some of our favourite photographs, models and drawings of projects from our portfolio, perfect for sparking ideas and inspiration for your own plans. You can also read a copy of our Project Planner, a handy downloadable guide designed to help you define your priorities and shape your project from the very beginning.

Thinking about your next steps? You can book a free Discovery Call with one of our architects for dedicated time to discuss your ideas, understand the process, and explore in more depth how to bring your vision to life.

And don’t forget to take part in our LEGO competition - Guess how many pieces are in the jar for a chance to win the ‘Tranquil Gardens’ LEGO set!

19/03/2026

The Homebuilding and Renovating Show is open today at the NEC Birmingham.

Anya and Tom are there today and happy to answer any questions you may have on how to create your dream home. Our stand is G114 - come and say hello!

The show is on from today through to Sunday 22nd March - link in bio to grab your 2 free tickets for any of the show days.

18/03/2026

Set up and ready to meet you to talk new build homes, creative extensions, reuse, retrofit and passivhaus at the NEC from tomorrow through to Sunday. See you there!

11/03/2026

How many LEGO Pieces are in the jar?

1 Week until we head to the NEC Homebuilding & Renovating Show!

To celebrate our stand at the NEC Homebuilding & Renovating Show from 19–22 March, we’re running a special competition for show visitors and our followers.

We’ve filled a jar with LEGO, and your challenge is simply to guess how many pieces are inside.

The closest guess will win the LEGO Icons Tranquil Garden set, a beautifully detailed build and a fitting prize for anyone who enjoys creating calm, thoughtful spaces.

How to enter:
• Visit us at the NEC Homebuilding & Renovating Show
• Or follow the link below to submit your guess
https://forms.gle/3wKyRbj96f1Uy2ek8

Key dates:
• Deadline to enter: Sunday 22nd March 2026
• Winner announced: Wednesday 25th March

Whether you’re a future client, a past collaborator, a builder, or simply someone who enjoys a good challenge, we’d love to see your guess.

06/03/2026

Celebrating International Women’s Day by shining a light on our two directors, Anya and Rachel, the women who lead Thread Architects.

As a proudly women‑owned practice, their leadership shapes everything we do: thoughtful design, sensitive communication, and a belief that great architecture starts with listening. Their work spans heritage, low‑energy design, planning strategy and complex residential projects, but it’s their calm guidance and people‑centred approach that clients value most.

If you’re interested in the wider conversation around women shaping the future of architecture, take a look at:

Celebrating Women in Architecture 2026
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-women-in-architecture-2026-tickets-1982300892331
RIBA’s features for Women’s History Month
https://www.riba.org/news/riba-celebrates-womens-history-month-2026/

Today we celebrate Anya, Rachel, and all the women transforming our industry.