Thread is serving as Conservation Architect for the reactivation of the Grade II listed Palais de Danse by the TATE. The project is Lead by Adam Kahn Architects (AKA).

Formerly a lively dance hall and later Barbara Hepworth’s informal studio from 1961, the building embodies both the social and artistic heritage of St Ives. Deeply connected to Hepworth’s legacy and the town’s cultural identity, the project seeks to conserve its fabric while reimagining it as a public-facing, community heritage site.

Conservation Philosophy

Our conservation approach combined in-depth research, site investigations, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This included fabric analysis, archival research, and oral histories from those connected to the Palais de Danse and Barbara Hepworth.

Community engagement was central to understanding the building’s layered social and cultural value, directly shaping the conservation strategy.

In collaboration with Tate, Adam Kahn Architects (AKA), and Planning Lab we consulted with Tate curators, interpretation and estates teams, the Barbara Hepworth Estate, and provided heritage input throughout concept and detailed design development, and pre-application discussions with Conservation Officers and Historic England.

Our scope included the Heritage Statement, updated Conservation Management Plan (CMP), and a full Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), all contributing to the successful Round 2 National Lottery Heritage Fund bid and full Planning permission and Listed Building Consent.