In the quiet streets of Tottenham, London, a modest clergyman from the 1970s as an environmentally conscious family home, which is disguised in the structured warmth of cork. Known as Nina's house, the transformation in cooperation with Roar architects was directed by the design studio Nina+Co and demonstrated how regenerative materials and thoughtful design can be used to transform a passive facade into an appealing and powerful landmark.
The heart of this “deep retrofitting” is cork, a material that is considered poetically in its physical presence, since it is strong in its technical performance. As soon as the building was cold and uninspired, it was prepared to radiate warmth, curiosity and intention, as it was completely covered in extended corkscan panels. This natural cladding becomes dark, stained and tactile to invite the hands of school children, the questions of the neighbors and the admiration of passers -by.
Designer: Nina+Co and Roar Architects
The use of cork in architecture represents a shift to biomaterials that are both powerful and sensory. As a material, Cork combines sustainability with durability and offers a renewable alternative to synthetic and at the same time offers superior insulation. It reduces the embodied carbon of the building and improves its energy efficiency and makes it a strategic material choice for the air -conditioned design.
Cork, which is harvested from the bark of cork oaks, is known as a renewable and biodegradable material with strong insulation properties. In Nina's house, extended cork was selected for its regenerative agricultural practices, no synthetic binders and minimal construction requirements. No plastic membranes or toxic adhesives were included. In its manufacturing process with a low influence, only heat is used to expand the cork, which further emphasizes its role in the environmentally friendly construction.
According to Nina Woodcroft, founder of Nina+Co, Cork stands out as a natural material that is not only effective, but also appeals to the senses. She emphasized her fascination for Cork's smell, feeling and sustainable history and found that this Cork project used both function and visual effects. The house, she explained, was deliberately wrapped into a breathable and insulating material in order to offer both environmental output and gentle road presence.
Cork's application at Nina's House questions the misunderstanding that natural materials are limited to rustic or niche aesthetics. Instead, it shows how Cork can serve as a contemporary architectural finish that gracefully ages and contributes to long -term resistance.
Instead of extending the house, the existing footprint was maximized. The ground floor was opened and the small garage and the veranda were brought into the thermal envelope, so that a feeling of the river and the cohesion was created. The budget was focused on the infrastructure: the gas supply was removed, underfloor heating and an Air source heat pump have been installed, the airtightness has been improved and all glazing was replaced by powerful alternatives, including suspended film technology and triple glazing.
Extended cork was made to play a leading role both outside and in the facade, it is used as insulating skin. Inside, Cork can also be seen in the ground, while the walls with a lime -based plaster with cork granules are ended. In areas where external insulation was not possible, these lime plasters were used to provide an internal thermal buffer. The decision to have some internal surfaces raw and sealed with an non -toxic glaze was made for both stylistic and economic reasons so that the practicality could be mixed with beauty.
Cork's versatility enables it to be used beyond the cladding. Its acoustic properties make it ideal for internal surfaces, especially in houses that aim to be peaceful and meditative. It also helps with the regulation of air humidity and temperature indoors and supports healthier living environments.
Receried and local materials were used throughout the house to reflect a high -quality, high -quality designerhos. Periods that have been removed for structural work were revised into ceiling cladding. A statement kitchen Island designed by Woodcroft was made by local craftsmen from a London aircraft tree that had been fallen on the Soho Square, an urban tree that was fallen and felled by the organization. The kitchen also has recycled plastic worktops with which the house's commitment is reproduced to circulatoryity.
The entire carpentry was ultra-made using the British Douglas FIR Tri-L-Board, which shows how sustainable design can be used to support the local economy and at the same time reduces the carbon influences.
The cork cladding is expected to take between 15 and 25 years. When its surface is weathered, a calconer is applied so that its lifespan can be extended while its appearance is changed subtly. This long -term approach reflects a preference for resilience compared to superficial surfaces. Cork's biological degradation also ensures that at the end of its life cycle it can safely return to Earth and reinforces the circular logic behind its use.
Overall, Nina's House measures 112 m² (1,206 ft²), modest, but great in sight. The open plan layout was developed to support the dynamic lifestyle of a young family, with zones being offered for connection and calm. Movement, assembly and even dancing are encouraged, so that sustainability can be felt less than a restriction and more like freedom.