Cork House by Matthew Barnett Howland; photo by David Grandorge
Cork is a natural and renewable material that has become increasingly popular with architects in recent years.
Cork building products offer several benefits, including thermal and acoustic insulation, fire resistance, moisture resistance, and durability. They are also lightweight and easy to work with, making them a perfect fit for many interior and exterior applications.
Overall, cork building products offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. They can help create healthy and comfortable living environments, while also reducing the carbon footprint of building projects.
Modern cork flooring is a durable and eco-friendly option for residential spaces. It’s warm underfoot and offers excellent sound insulation and is resistant to moisture, mould, and mildew. Modern cork flooring comes in many colours and finishes, making it a great choice for contemporary interiors.
Slot House pairs glued-down cork flooring with Douglas fir-faced plywood wall panelling to create a warm, modern interior.
Slot House by Sandy Rendel Architects. Photo by Jim Stephenson
Cork wall panels are not only attractive and sustainable, but they’re also a healthy and practical choice for interior wall coverings. Cork is a natural insulation material that allows moisture to pass through it. This means it can help to regulate humidity levels in a room and prevent the build-up of moisture, which can lead to mould growth and other issues. Additionally, cork products are traditionally low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and can help to improve indoor air quality by reducing harmful emissions in the air.
The cork in this project by Polysmiths was sourced from Portuguese firm Amorim through the supplier Mike Wye. The material was treated to meet fire-proofing regulations.
Cork House by Polysmiths. Video by The Modern House
Cork contains a natural wax called suberin which makes it water repellent. Combined with its impressive insulating properties, it offers a sustainable and practical cladding alternative to traditional materials.
Cork facade panels are lightweight and easy to handle, which allowed this garden room by Surman Weston to be constructed very quickly. The building is topped with a sedum roof and lined internally with birch plywood, further adding to its environmental credentials.
Cork facade panels on a garden Studio by Surman Weston. Photo by Wai Ming Ng
Shortlisted for the 2019 Stirling Prize, Cork House by Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton seeks to create a durable and weathertight house made almost entirely out of cork.
Monolithic walls and corbelled roofs are made from solid, load-bearing cork blocks, prefabricated off site to millimetre accuracy using CNC robots. This highly innovative project is carbon-negative and has an exceptionally low whole-life carbon footprint.
Cork structural blocks used on Cork house by Matthew Barnett Howland. Photo by David Grandorge
The walls of this house extension by Whittaker Parsons are constructed from aerated blockwork, wood fibre insulation, and finished eternally with a matte black cork render. The render is made from a blend of cork and natural hydraulic lime and contributes to the thermal and acoustic performance of the house.
FSC ash-faced plywood illuminated by large format rooflights visually contrast the dark render on the inside of the building.
Cork render used on Interlocking house by Whittaker Parsons. Photo by Jim Stephenson
About the author: Aron Coates is an architect with over two decades of experience, encompassing projects ranging from the restoration of historic buildings to the design of contemporary homes.
The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and educational purposes only. At Designs in Detail, we advise you appoint a skilled residential architect to provide specific expert advice for your project.
