Designed as a response to modern architecture’s impact on biodiversity and climate change, Cork House has won multiple awards including the RIBA South Award 2019, RIBA South Sustainability Award 2019 and RIBA National Award 2019 for the way it fuses ancient construction methods with cutting-edge design to create a sustainable living solution whose whole-life carbon is 85% less than a traditional new build house.

The ‘whole-life approach’ to sustainability was encompassed by the design team – Matthew Barnett Howland, Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton who designed, tested and developed this striking architecture in partnership with The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL. Cork House is built almost entirely from sustainably sourced cork blocks.

Our tailormade Conservation Plateau Rooflights provided a juxtaposition to the dark cork walls creating a stunning light and dark effect. The motorised opening option fits the bill perfectly to provide ventilation and regulate heat in the building. The result is a beautiful and individual building, which nestles sustainably into its surroundings on the banks of the River Thames.

Photography and Videography by Phil Broom, Ricky Jones and Magnus Dennis.