Natural evolving and full of quiet strength

Dear Friends,

Cork is an extraordinary natural material with many unique qualities. It is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree itself, the bark naturally regenerates every 9 to 12 years, making cork one of the most renewable resources on the planet. In addition, corq has very low embodied energy, the hidden footprint of construction, which plays a crucial role in the building’s overall sustainability.

What makes corq truly remarkable is not just its sustainability, but also its exceptional performance. Cork is a natural insulator, providing excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. It is lightweight, flexible, and highly resistant to moisture, mold, and pests.

For us, corq became the right solution, enhancing the building’s aesthetic identity, energy efficiency, and indoor comfort. I have to admit it was a difficult choice since it had never been used before in Greece, but we love a challenge!

Photos by Danai Devetzoglou

With the best team from Grapsas, led by Sahid and Michalis, it slowly became a reality. Now, the corq insulation and corq cladding—our final layer of the façade, are in place. The dark brown color it has now is warm and rich.

What we have to remind ourselves (and it takes a while to really sink in) is that, as a natural material, its color will change over time. It will gradually bleach, eventually reaching the light beige tone we all recognize from wine corks.

We’re excited to follow this transformation. Because it depends on light conditions, different sides will age and change at different rhythms. This material will keep evolving and almost grow old with us. It will become like an old friend, sharing the years in this house to come, and we look forward to this!

With love,

The Bear by Ooak Team