The Hothouse, designed by British architecture practice, Studio Weave, is a Victorian-inspired contemporary greenhouse, which incorporates cork, on the basis of its technical characteristics and sustainability credentials. The project aims to draw attention to the effects of climate change.
The structure of the temporary installation, located in Stratford, in London, is reminiscent of a Victorian glasshouse. The interior cork floor, developed by Amorim, supports gardens designed by the landscape artist, Tom Massey, who has brought a series of edible and exotic plants from the four corners of the world to London.
For this contemporary greenhouse, the London Design Festival and Studio Weave chose Amorim’s cork solutions due to their suitability for the project and excellent sustainability credentials. Using expanded cork supplied by Amorim Cork Insulation, Amorim Cork Composites has developed an agglomerated cork floor that, due to its technical and visual characteristics, offers an exemplary response to the project’s requirements. Amorim Cork Composites provided technical support and advice and produced the items designed by Studio Weave, in conformity with the specific conditions and finishes indicated by the designers.
The Hothouse is one of the landmark projects of this year's London Design Festival. The temporary installation will remain in situ for a year, displaying the variance and evolution of plants across all seasons – while also seeking to educate and inspire. By highlighting the possibility of creating favorable environments and conditions for plant cultivation, The Hothouse seeks to demonstrate the effects of climate change, and point towards possible solutions.
This isn’t the first time that Corticeira Amorim has collaborated with the London Design Festival - developing projects that highlight cork’s added value and potential for the design world. Another prime example was the use of cork flooring in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, as part of a project designed by the FAT studio for the 2013 London Design Festival.
