Turns drafty townhome into tranquil Cork Passive House

To insulate a drafty, rundown home in Barcelona while making it as healthy as possible and also “perfectly integrated into the urban forest,” architect Elisabetta Quarta Colosso wrapped the entire thing in cork.
Not only are the interior walls, the roof, and the floors covered in cork insulation, but the entire back facade of the home is clad in cork. Since cork material is simply tree bark (it’s a renewable material since cork oak trees are preserved and only the bark is harvested every 9 to 11 years), it blends seamlessly with the surrounding trees of the backyard garden.
Quarta Colosso wanted to use natural materials whenever possible in the home’s remodel, so she experimented with materials like chalk floors instead of microcement and clay walls that don’t need paint since they naturally reflect the wide range of colors of the earth (greens, oranges, reds, etc.).
The backyard house, formerly the servants’ quarters, was refurbished as an office and library with natural bricks (from a local factory) stacked to create a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Every space is utilized; even a small lightwell off the bedroom was wrapped in cork and is now a meditation space (cork absorbs sound).
The home is a passive house, relying on strategies like passive solar - all the trees are deciduous to block summer light and allow for winter sun - and a ventilated underfloor cavity and vents on the facades to promote passive cross ventilation from north to south. While the house passed the “blower door test” ensuring the doors and windows don’t leak, the home's walls are all-natural - cork, brick, and clay - so the house “breathes,” allowing for clean indoor air quality.
[Watch another of Elisabetta Quarta Colosso's houses, also cork-clad for insulation, this time in a rural environment near Barcelona • Cork-clad home uses Tr... ].
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On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/cork...

[@not2tees]

How clearly and interestingly she expresses herself, and with some charming accent of Catelonia.

[@spartahill]

Aside from being an excellent episode, I think I’ve identified my architect when the time come to reimagine my home in two to three years. Thanks on both accounts.

[@speedbuggy16v]

I love it, and I learned something, I had always assumed there was a binder added to it. I had not idea the resin from the tree and heat was all it took. That has to be one QUIET house! The semi polished clay is gorgeous. Beautiful home.

[@shanechang2015]

It all looks as it if was all always meant to be there. Pure perfection.

[@wildlifegardenssydney7492]

So many wonderful sustainable ideas. A breathable, naturally coloured, exquisitely put together home. I loved the vintage bedroom furniture and quilt too.

[@tinayoga8844]

I laughed when she said that was winter. I have been looking at snow for almost four months already.

[@david100483]

lol I thought the same thing. I would like to have this material on my home but I don’t think it would stand the harsh weather. Winter’s constant freeze/thaw process in northeast USA would likely degrade the cork unless treated with chemicals. Either way, what an awesome home!

[@pgrieger]

fell in love with cork, the phenomenal building and living concept as well as the breathtaking presentation...WOW! Kirsten, I forgot...been watching and following your great footage from the beginning...your wonderful children are growing in the process. very special to feel being part of your path.

[@juliamcdonald5245]

Another great aspect of cork is its fire resistant properties, including when it is still on the tree, it’s an amazing material

So far, every new Kirsten Dirksen video I've seen has brightened my day. Thanks, looking forward to many, many more!

[@mikecranapple8878]

Love that bookshelf LADDER with the platform built in at the top of it!

[@teresaprice5070]

PHENOMENAL! 💖 Honestly, for 40+ years, I have asserted that these types of innovation should be the standard...if we're serious about stewarding our planet. 😎🌵

[@willow-wf3jf]

This home is stunningly beautiful. So well done. The architect has a great command of the English language as well. It's amazing how little clutter the owner has as well. Very soothing.

[@wildcard3942]

That’s a lot of energy to make a natural material for some out side siding

[@winstonsmith1457]

One of my favourites architechts reviewed in this channel because the knowledge of natural materials.

[@sharonadlam3195]

Another great video Kirsten, thank you. Some amazing concepts used in this house, the chalk backsplash and floor for example. ☺☺

[@JasRaymond1]

The property is amazing as is the Architect . I love what she did with the natural building materials and the natural ventilation.

[@CausticLemons7]

Beautiful, efficient, and very natural; what an absolutely lovely home.

[@classifiedinformation6353]

In my sculpture class at University, the process of mould making utilized the same method of water proofing as the bathroom walls. Our plaster moulds were prepaired by wetting the interior with a surgical soap. This soap and plaster combination caused a chemical reaction resulting in a very smooth and water resistant finish. My shop has plaster over brick walls. These walls can not be painted with modern paint that doesn't breathe. I believe the form of wall discussed in this excellent video will work for me and my 175 year of house. Thanks Kristen(and husband).

[@willow-wf3jf]

wow, that is so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@chantik]

Genuinely inspiring, I loved this one! Not just style but substance.

[@Chereese0808]

This is fantastic. I love everything about this home. Plus it's gorgeous. Hopefully these experimental surfaces will be used in most homes in the future. Another awesome video Kirsten. Thank you. ♡

[@LK-Design]

Beautiful! What wonderful techniques to learn about!

[@raroraroraroo9675]

This type of susteinable architecture, that is healthier for the occupants and the enviroment, is gaining popularity. Clean air, water and spirit with a low enviromental impact. I would love to see a project where the spiritual side had more protagonism. A Tadao Ando meets Passive House and healthy enviroment project.

[@Snovitonia]

Thank you for sharing. Seems like a dream home for those sensitive to sounds and/or loving to live and work in a space not affected by the sounds from the outside.

[@normanmerrill1241]

Fantastic project…I love cork…all the natural materials make this a beautiful, responsible build…thanks

[@blueman5924]

Beautiful. Architecturally and structurally.👏

[@chrisbgifford7387]

Brilliant ideas and finishes.

[@a.l.a.7847]

beyond gorgeous -- brilliant thought process and design resulting in the most livable space!

[@EVERGLOW828]

Wow… absolutely beautiful home. Thanks for sharing

[@lexiconlover]

I could listen to Elisabetta talk all day 😊

[@ernestinasanchez5305]

Such beautiful and innovative techniques used in this wonderful renovation. Thank you for finding and sharing this treasure. Great video.

[@nancyb2003]

Amazing how innovation ties so strongly to ancient technology. I greatly admire the world you are showing us, Kirsten Dirksen. In a world of materials manufactured in ways that are harmful to our earth, I am heartened to see such passion for true healthy living.

[@casslarkin4567]

Incredible architect and the most beautiful and enchanting home I think I've ever seen!

[@patriciafay-magiera1304]

This video is a treasure of information! The cork everywhere protects and connects. It especially connects people to the environment and natural world inside, and through the windows, it connects one to the variety of nature as it reacts to the seasons outside. What a marvelous creation by such humane architects and engineers! Thank you for presenting this experience! God bless you! Patricia

[@kristinaginorio1344]

What a lovely gem.

[@beatrizpena4565]

Gorgeous and healthy place.

[@taliasya2273]

You always find amazing homes but this has to be top of my favorite list! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@awakening4210]

Gorgeous and brilliant. Congratulations for both the architect and the video makers. Exciting ideas over all. Many thanks.

[@mimi_pesss]

Beautiful work! ❤

[@brettsalter3300]

What a phenomenal transformation! Cork! Most educational, the vision these owners had considering the original look of the place is truly gifted. Love their taste both overall and in the details. Many incredible ideas, I hope all future home builds take on this spiritually inspired functionality.

[@carolinawren3594]

stunning! works effortlessly with deep punched wall openings - and wood surrounds. and then the interiors! Kirsten's cinematography as always looks effortless and endlessly enjoyable.

[@adapa22]

Tris is amazing! Thank you for sharing. I want this in my house!

[@missglenellen]

Such a gem! Thanks for sharing!

[@playgemji]

Another great video. Cork is a beautiful material with so many applications and ways of use.

[@whereisplain]

Kirsten, I love your channel. So grateful for your videos. So many inspirations. It´s truly a movement you document and you kind of give an extra generator onto it because of this whole collection from everywhere in the world we would never see without you, that enhances our motivation to take ideas from and do it too.

[@GotDangJosh]

Supercool cork aesthetic. The house is a complete system. Super smart choices & options. Thank y’all.

[@andresespinoza9760]

Incredible!! So good. It looks good and i love the fact that they create a space with an acoustic experience!

[@ahomeinpisgahontheroad4481]

Beautiful and functional and earth friendly!

[@TheDrKKool]

Beautiful footage, towards the end.

[@lucybaker1808]

Loved this house and video, lots of ideas, enjoyed the architect explaining the technical details too - thanks for sharing! ❤

[@whoami6702]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT DESIGN & EXQUISITELY, TIMELESSLY BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for another superb episode.

[@winstonsmith1457]

Thanks for bring us more ideas.

[@herokindon]

I found the garden both relatable and inspiring :)

[@tomt637]

This is a great house with so many features. I found it funny I installed that giant tank a month ago in a new house in Cambridge. We were using it as an attenuation tank for a massive house due to the awful heavy clay soils.

[@dorislv5962]

So inspiring! Thanks for the creative designer and thanks for sharing!

[@albongo3949]

Beautiful and thoughtful home and building

[@agne4670]

Greatly inspiring - ideas and whole vision behind it - thank you, for spreading the knowledge and the beauty🙏💕

[@emilyeah]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing. Loved listening to this lovely womans voice melody and accent ❤️

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible.

[@kiukk9288]

Monday morning, coffee & kirsten's last video, well done!👍

[@scottg.g.haller3291]

I recall that Marcel Proust lived and wrote in a bedroom insulated with cork walls to maximize the silence so that he could focus on his thoughts. I imagine that acoustical treatment might also be useful to the neighbors if the residents like doing loud things like cranking the sound system or playing musical instruments.

[@janebishop5885]

Wow. Impressive.

[@skd7028]

An outstanding design.

[@tonywilson7155]

stunning house!

[@madq1826]

Lovely 💚💚💚

[@septemberamyx]

Wonderful and awesome information!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

The cork house ignites the imagination. What a loving, natural home! Love lives there.

[@sidedoor38]

Beautiful home, love the brick bookshelves, although they might be rough on the book bottoms.

[@michellemullally9217]

This is wonderful❤ it’s a tree house without the 🌳

[@laurieedeburn2449]

thanks

[@ManivaHouse]

Fantastic

[@rhondashotwell7358]

Very cool, and a smart way to build!

[@ecoconil]

Very interesting to see cork being used in this way. Cork is certainly growing in popularity but not convinced about this type of application regarding durability and cost of the application:-)

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Love the residents diving out of the shots. There should be a blooper reel.

[@scorpio6587]

Wonderful

[@mikealbrecht3990]

I enjoy each video. Lots of creative ideas. The papyrus in the pond will expand and crowd out the pond - I had papyrus in a 5 gallon bucket (in an outdoor water feature) the split the bucket.

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Just brilliant. So thoughtful and beautiful. How can we make beautiful and sustainable dwellings for all?

[@musicisagoodvibe]

Beautifullllll

[@GoingsoloinFrance]

Great video 🙂

[@juli1037]

Love the idea behind. Nature is the best!

[@patboudotlamot]

excellent

[@Danny_Boel]

Nice, it only costs a small fortune.

[@ecoconil]

The cost is not that bad normally. Maybe this application is, but normally very cost effective due to its weight.

[@Danny_Boel]

@@ecoconil I found a Dutch company that sells it at 65 Euro for a sq. meter of 70mm, and 50 Euro for a sq. meter of 40mm. Maybe it is cheaper in Spain, I don't know. I do admit it looks cool though. Also, I have no idea of the R-value compared with traditional foam insulation combined with stone cladding.

[@Danny_Boel]

@@ecoconil After looking up some prices of PIR insulation I found 50Euro buys me 1 sq Meter of 140mm thick, which is becoming standard in new buildings here in Belgium

[@ecoconil]

@@Danny_Boelis that installed? R value depends on wall it is being applied too. Thickness can be from 1.5cm + depending on the R value you are looking for. So after knowing material of your walls a calculation is made. Most people here go for between 2 and 7cm but we have different insulation regulations and needs.

[@ecoconil]

@@Danny_Boel I think people going for cork are looking for that natural feeling. If you have ever been in a home with a cork and clay finish it is a special feeling. Synthetic insulation will always be cheaper than natural.

[@Jagueyes1]

Beautiful work by a beautiful architect.

[@loujohnson3735]

And they will never need a memo board ever again 🥳

[@larrypilcher3791]

Looks great. Here in British Columbia there are lots of wildfires. No cork trees here also. Stone, tile, and tin combined with a traditional timber frame internal structure is what is used. Ready for the category nine is a practical idea. The Cascadia mega quake event is overdue. According to the earth scientists.

[@helenfederoff7603]

That's absolutely beautiful ❤

[@jacksmith4266]

Resin and glue are chemicals, so that bark isn't chemical free. There's bark slabs which are glue-free and resin-free available, but these are not those. Beautiful and magnificent material, sound proofing, insulating, natural and great looking.

[@dubididubidi]

the panels are composed only by cork..when heated cork release its natural resin that glues all the pieces togheter...they do not add anything

[@dollarette]

I like the no paint idea. I wonder how the cork stands up to insects.

[@yowwwwie]

KD- one of your best yet..... יוי

[@danpaul4594]

So motivating to find people building with ecological materials. A big house change from its older looks. Is it possible to find out where to source the cork blocks they used - I would be very grateful for the information, Thank You.

[@guillermoherlt5141]

Nice. Sometimes it would be great to know the name/make of the products being used, in this case the cork with the structured surface. Beautiful

[@paranoidhumanoid]

I think it's made by ThermaCork...

[@pinealism]

I feel like manufacturing cork like that would have suited Frank Lloyd Wright really well.

[@soniadownie8749]

Beautiful ✨

[@georgekrpan3181]

This got me thinking of using expanded cork bricks or blocks to build a house on the inside of a barn or barnlike structure. They are light and easy to handle and work with, have a Class B fire rating, have a R4 per inch insulation rating, and have a beautiful look, no need for drywall in the interior.

[@sun1one1]

There is a house like that, in fact I think Kirsten did a video on it.

[@georgekrpan3181]

@@sun1one1 Yes, by Adam Kalkin. My idea is more DIY. The interior house doesn't have to be very substantially built. It will never be subjected to the weather. A tent would do but tents aren't very warm.

[@blueman5924]

But, your barn will neither be fire resistant, or weatherproof on the outside. :/

[@georgekrpan3181]

@@blueman5924 Steel barn.

[@fantasticfamily5004]

Very creative and resourceful

[@shaystern2453]

she's a beauty

[@alancawfield6549]

I'll be honest after reading the headline I expected at first this house to be in Cork in Ireland

[@melissashiels7838]

Me too!!! 😂

[@mrs.onyango6504]

❤

[@mrs.manrique7411]

I love the semi outdoor bathroom!

[@catherinecancel1687]

Such a beautiful property. I wonder the cost of renovations.

[@C_C_SEA]

💯