Cork House, a family home in London’s Forest Gate by architecture practice Polysmiths, makes the most of its site and story
Cork House is a new family home, built in an east London brownfield site. So far, so normal, for a London infill story.
Supply chain issues were one of the first problems the team encountered. The solution? ‘We picked less commonly used building materials to bypass the supply-chain issues during lockdown. And they are beautiful too,’ says Wu. He focused on using cork, locally sourced timber and lime plaster to create a ‘cocoon of earthy natural palette’, as he described it. As a result, the home is open, bright and feels organic and comfortably layered.
A series of openings and courtyards – internal and open air – are created through fully openable sliding doors. They connect the living and dining areas, as well as the master bedroom. Further drama is added by skylights and high-level windows. This was not just about aesthetics, though, as the exposed cork walls add extra insulation, and the courtyards create shade, making for great cross-ventilation that ensures the home is energy efficient and remains warm in the winter and cool in the summer months.
Polysmiths is the young studio set up by Hong Kong-born Wu in 2017. It works on sensitive, sustainability-led architecture projects, as well as products, tapping into Wu’s expertise in ceramics, producing tableware, lighting, andCork House, however, is a key project for the practice – not least because it is Wu’s own home. It becomes an example of considered urban living that eschews the cookie-cutter approach and prioritises inventiveness and imagination – all while creating a warm London home.
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