Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry — and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!
For over 5000 years humans have understood the material benefits of cork. The material is sourced from the bark of cork oaks — found mainly along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea — and for centuries has been used to make floating devices, seals for containers and sandals. Nowadays, though cork is less ubiquitous than it once was, it has found its niche as the reliable stopper in wine bottles.
Yet, the qualities that have made cork a choice material for civilizations can also surprisingly be applied to architecture. As a lightweight, impermeable, sustainable and durable material with incredible insulation capabilities, cork is a surprisingly versatile material in the construction field. In the past few years, architects have truly started to put cork to the test, and the results are pointing toward limitless potential. As the seven ‘corky’ buildings below illustrate, we should start asking the question: could cork become the mass-scale construction material of the future?
042_Corkscrew House
By rundzwei, Berlin, Germany
Bay Window Tower House
By Takaaki Fuji + Yuko Fuji Architecture / tyfa, Tokyo, Japan
Built on a narrow lot in central Tokyo, this new residence pushes the boundaries of cork construction. The brutalist inspired structure towers above nearby apartment buildings, but the corky surfaces give off a much friendlier feel than concrete. Case in point, the architects opted for a narrower octagonal shape structure, rather than a regular rectangular floor plan, to minimize the loss of sunlight for the shorter neighbors around.
Cork House
By nimtim architects, London, United Kingdom
This rear extension on a terrace house in South London borrows Victorian architectural elements to incorporate contemporary design features into the new space. The extension’s simple pitched roof echoes the shape of the main house, but also accommodates a glazed roof and a slot window to allow ample light inside.
The cork panels subtly mimic the tone of the house’s weatherworn bricks, making the uncommon material feel oddly familiar. These panels clad both the interior and exterior of the extension; their insulation qualities absorb noise, allow the room to breathe and sidestep the need for additional foam insulation.
Cork Flat
By Formafatal, Prague, Czech Republic
The Hill Cork House
By Contaminar Arch., Leiria, Portugal
Ecork Hotel
By José Carlos Cruz – Arquitecto, Evora, Portugal
Casa Azul
By Bak Gordon Arquitectos, Grândola, Portugal
Another architectural gem situated in Portugal’s Alentejo region, this new house rises above the barren landscape with graceful simplicity. The structure includes a small interior patio and partially shielded “fresco rooms”, where the sun paints elegant compositions on the plastered walls. Cork is used as an exterior layer of insulation for the house as well as for the rooftop, showcasing its sturdy character against the region’s arid climate.
Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry — and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!