[Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne (CSK Architects) and Oliver Wilton (UCL) - Cork House - COVER IMG] Photo David Grandorge

Cork House

Firm LocationEton, United Kingdom
Project locationEton, Berkshire, UK
CompanyMatthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne (CSK Architects) and Oliver Wilton (UCL)
Lead ArchitectMatthew Barnett Howland
Design TeamStructural and fire engineering by Arup

The distinctive tectonic form and atmospheric spaces of Cork House are the result of an overarching ‘form follows lifecycle’ methodology that binds the architectural to the ecological. At its core is an attempt to radically simplify the building envelope. The house is conceived as a prefabricated kit-of-parts, assembled by hand without mortar or glue, and designed for disassembly so that every cork block will be available for re-use or return to the biosphere. This highly innovative form of plant-based construction is carbon negative at completion with exceptionally low whole life carbon.