A building that seems to bear its soul to the world, Nina’s House by Roar Architects seems to be turned inside out for all to see the warm, eco-friendly cork lining that wraps its exterior. Once a cold and inefficient 1970s house that leaked heat and had little in the way of standout curb appeal, the home has been reimagined and transformed into a cozy, fossil fuel-free home by way of a deep retrofit that prioritized natural, local, and recycled materials.
Already smaller than the neighboring buildings, the client and architects decidedly early on to lean into its disparity in stature and opt against extending, instead placing the focus on optimizing the existing structure, which meant reshaping the ground floor into an open-plan layout while incorporating the garage and porch into the living area. The key feature of the finished article is the striking cork cladding, chosen for its insulating properties, sustainability, and textural appeal. Wrapping the entire facade, the material ensures more than just thermal performance but also engages the eye, sparking curiosity with its unusual appearance.
A collaboration between the client (an interior designer by trade), ROAR Architects, and a bona fide energy consultant, the home sort to replace its energy source, swapping its old gas boiler for an air-source heat pump, while installing underfloor heating, upgraded windows and doors, and extensive insulation to ensure the utmost efficiency. The uncommon appearance marks out a statement contemporary building that adds intrigue to its surroundings while hiding its host of energy efficient goodness within.
Photography © French + Tye