Leading Architecture & Design October/November 2019

Page 10

INTERNATIONAL

B E RKSH I RE , U K

Cork House wins RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize 2019

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ork House, by Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton, was announced the winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stephen Lawrence Prize 2019 this month. The jury report stated: Designed with immense attention to detail, Cork House is a structure of great ingenuity. Sited within the area of a Grade II Listed mill house dating back to the early nineteenth century, the Cork House beautifully reflects and respects the natural surroundings in form and construction. An entirely cork construction, with solid structural cork walls and roof, the building emits next to zero carbon. The biogenic construction of prefabricated cork blocks and engineered timber is carbon negative at completion and has remarkably low whole-life carbon. All the components can be reused or recycled, and the expanded cork blocks have been made using by-product and waste from cork forestry and the cork

10 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

stopper industry. Internally, the biophilic elements, such as the exposed cork and oak flooring, captures the light and creates a wonderfully tranquil sensory experience. In summer the skylights open to bring a sense of lightness to the space and in winter the snug interiors emanate a sense of warmth and protection. As sustainability becomes integral to all construction, this development pushes us further to look beyond the requirements and aspire to really integrate ourselves with nature. The inventiveness lies within the structure’s ease of assembly. The whole house is ‘designed for disassembly’ and can be constructed by hand. An

incredible feat by the architects to achieve such a delicately intriguing home that sits humbly among its surroundings, is sustainably sound and can be easily assembled. As the first of its type, it is truly exciting to think what this project could inspire within the architectural world. The detailing is very clever, and the structure draws upon ancient inspiration, harking back to a time when humans and nature were more intertwined. Form, function and footprint are all equally considered and respected. This is a truly wellthought-out, carefully researched project that has created a home that inspires those that are lucky enough to visit.


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