Camberwell Cork House in London by Delve Architects

A cork facade adorns this Victorian terraced house in Camberwell. © Fred Howarth

In South London, Delve Architects renovated a Victorian terraced house and added a 20 m² cork extension. The extension transforms a dark, cramped rear room into a light-filled, open-plan space with a clear view of the neighbouring garden.

Through a window framed in green, you look into a modern interior with a green table and wooden chairs, surrounded by white walls, wooden beams and plants. The façade is made of dark cork.

Green-painted window frames contrast with the cork facade at the rear of the house. © Fred Howarth

Cork cladding and insulation

The new elements of the house are made from sustainable, durable and biodegradable materials. Cork is used for both the cladding and the insulation. Its use significantly improves the overall thermal and environmental performance of the house. Triple-glazed windows with green-painted frames ensure high levels of air-tightness and thermal performance in the new premises.

Design of the new interior

The architects set back the extension to create the new open plan space. This required a step down from the existing main living areas at the front of the house into the new kitchen and dining area. Durable terracotta tiles in the kitchen create a link to the outdoors, as these are also laid on the terrace. In addition to the large window areas, skylights bring daylight into the extension.

A bright kitchen with gleaming white walls and a brick floor. A kitchen island with a stone top stands in the center. Large windows in bright green frames let in light. In front of it is a green dining table with wooden chairs, surrounded by plants.

A long skylight brings daylight into the kitchen and dining area. © Fred Howarth

The transition from the kitchen to the terrace is emphasized by the continuous floor made of washed brick. Light-colored wooden beams accentuate the ceiling, while large windows in green frames offer a view of the garden.

Terracotta tiles are used in the kitchen and on the terrace. © Fred Howarth

A simple room, elegantly painted in red, with a gray sofa and a picture on the opposite wall. A round paper lamp hangs from the ceiling and three windows provide light.

The lounge area at the front of the house is painted Venetian red. © Fred Howarth

Renovating the existing building

At the front of the house, Delve Architects created a utility room and a new lounge area. The walls of the lounge are painted Venetian red to create a warm atmosphere.

Architecture: Delve Architects
Client: private
Location: Camberwell, London (GB)

Construction time: 26 weeks
Contractor: CSC Build It
Structural engineering: Cogley Strukturelle Lösungen
Cork walls / insolation: Mike Wye