Corkinho Builds Sustainable Still Room Pavilion at Casa No Tempo
A modular, carbon-neutral cork structure designed for silent retreats in rural Portugal.
1Architectural Concept and Purpose
Corkinho has unveiled a new still room pavilion at Casa No Tempo in Alentejo, Portugal. Designed by Cédric Etienne, this space serves as a sanctuary for silent activities like meditation and yoga. It is situated on the grounds of a farmhouse originally converted by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in 2014.
2Innovative Modular Construction
The pavilion features a fully demountable structure built without glue or screws. Solid cork blocks are stacked like bricks and secured by metal rods through milled channels. A timber deck rests on removable concrete blocks, while a timber roof provides stability, ensuring the entire building remains carbon-neutral and zero-waste.
3Material Science and Sourcing
The cork blocks, supplied by local company Sofalca, underwent heat treatment to enhance their durability and structural integrity. This material choice provides the pavilion with unique thermal and acoustic properties. The interior maintains a comfortable 22 to 23 degrees Celsius even when external temperatures reach 40 degrees, creating a womb-like environment.
4Collaboration with Silent Living
Etienne pitched the still room concept to João Rodrigues, founder of the hospitality brand Silent Living. The company manages five properties, all designed by Aires Mateus with a focus on slow living. This alignment in aesthetic and sensory values made Casa No Tempo the ideal location for testing the pavilion concept.
5Evolution of the Concept
The still room concept originated in 2020 when Corkinho transformed a room within the former Noorderpershuis power station in Antwerp into a silent sanctuary. Etienne defines the space as a place to disconnect from distractions. After consulting with various hotel brands, he successfully integrated the concept into the hospitality sector.
6Operational Retreat Programs
Beyond serving individual guests at the villa, the pavilion hosts curated four-day silent retreats. These programs allow groups of hospitality professionals and designers to experience the space firsthand. The retreats are designed to deepen understanding of the still room concept and its potential applications within the broader luxury hospitality market.
7Technical Assembly and Design
Lead designer Cédric Etienne collaborated with master carpenter Gonçalo Madeira Marrote of Madeiguincho to execute the build. The roof is described as a hat secured with four screws, providing necessary weight to the cork walls. This assembly method respects Japanese teahouse traditions, prioritizing local materials and leaving no permanent impact.
8Future of Sustainable Pavilions
The project highlights a growing trend in sustainable architecture, where sensory qualities like scent and softness become central architectural conditions. By utilizing renewable materials like cork in a modular format, the project offers a blueprint for temporary, low-impact structures that can be relocated or dismantled without harming the surrounding land.