Decorated with Cork, the 1970s Retrofit in South Tottenham Serves as an Example of Minimal Ecological Footprint Residential Design
A standout home in South Tottenham is challenging conventional building norms, boasting an extraordinary exterior made of mottled brown cork. Imported from Portugal, the unique material is both tactile and sustainable, drawing the attention of children, delivery drivers, and even local foxes.
The property, designed by ROAR Architects and Nina+Co, has become a conversation starter in the community. Craig Rosenblatt, director of ROAR Architects, recalls the building inspector's initial perplexity upon encountering the unconventional home.
But the cork exterior is more than merely visually striking. It symbolizes a sustainable renovation project that transformed an energy-inefficient home into a fossil-fuel-free marvel, serving as a subtle yet powerful statement against demolition culture.
Initially, Nina Woodcroft, the project's principal, wasn't actively searching for a new project. However, when she saw the house with its good proportions and potential, she knew it had the makings of a remarkable design. Its unique history as a Salvation Army clergy residence provided an intriguing backdrop for the renovation.
Focusing on performance rather than expanding the footprint, the team invested in underfloor heating, innovative glazing, and creating a superb airtight envelope. These improvements transformed the formerly cold, uninspiring home into a warm, sustainable beauty.
Nina's passion for cork and its versatility sparked the project. Renowned for its carbon sequestration, renewability, and biodegradability, cork offers numerous environmental benefits as a building material. Its use in the home has inspired other architects to inquire about its application.
Cork surfaces can be found throughout the revamped home, from the exterior insulation to the interior flooring, walls, and countertops. The team ensured they maximized the material's potential, revamping the home's previously concrete, timber, and poorly insulated structure.
The overhauled layout features light-filled spaces and two living areas with distinct feels and functions. The kitchen showcases natural materials, featuring custom Douglas fir joinery, a London plane tree island, and recycled plastic countertops that echo the home's sustainable ambition.
Ventilation ensures clean air without the need for constantly opening windows, essential for Nina, who resides on a high-pollution road. Outside, the concrete driveway has been replaced with a front garden showcasing salvaged stone pavers and thyme and chamomile plantings.
Nina hopes the project inspires others to explore natural materials and retrofitting, not just for comfort but for the benefit of future generations. For Craig and his team, the project has transformed their approach to retrofitting, prioritizing performance over footprint to create sustainable, eco-friendly homes.
Enrichment Data:
Cork provides numerous benefits as a sustainable building material, including renewability, carbon sequestration, insulation, natural resistance, and fire retardancy. Its warm tones, soft texture, and hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for interiors, while its cellular structure is excellent for thermal and acoustic insulation. Cork is also naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and pests and can be used in various applications, including wall and floor coverings, insulation, structural components, and modular systems. Its versatility, eco-friendliness, and practicality make cork an excellent choice for sustainable retrofit projects.
- The unique, mottled brown cork exterior of the South Tottenham home, sourced from Portugal, not only appeals to children, delivery drivers, and even local foxes, but also symbolizes a sustainable renovation project.
- Nina Woodcroft, the project's principal, was initially not actively seeking a new project, but the home's good proportions and potential caught her attention, making it ripe for a remarkable design.
- To maximize the home's performance rather than expanding its footprint, the team invested in underfloor heating, innovative glazing, and an airtight envelope, transforming the once cold, uninspiring home into a warm, sustainable beauty.
- Cork, renowned for its carbon sequestration, renewability, and biodegradability, can be found throughout the revamped home, from the exterior insulation to the interior flooring, walls, and countertops.
- The kitchen, showcasing natural materials, features custom Douglas fir joinery, a London plane tree island, and recycled plastic countertops, all echoing the home's sustainable ambition.
- The team ensured the front garden, showcasing salvaged stone pavers and thyme and chamomile plantings, replaced the previous concrete driveway, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle in line with the home's eco-friendly design.
