portuguese hotel by josé carlos cruz is clad with cork façades

one hour outside of lisbon, in the portuguese region of évora, architect josé carlos cruz has completed a spa and resort complex clad with a natural brown cork. photographed here by fernando guerra, the ‘ecork’ hotel, boasts 56 private residences, fine dining facilities, and a spa and gym complex.

image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra (also main image)
all images courtesy of josé carlos cruz arquitecto

ecork’s program is organized around a central courtyard that connects various public spaces with hotel services. an outdoor pool and its adjacent bar are positioned at roof level, ensuring a reduction is the projects overall footprint. surrounding the main building, a series of suites are scattered across the landscape, read as abstract white volumes dotted between the site’s trees.

the project boasts 56 private residences, fine dining facilities, and a spa and gym complex
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

the environmentally friendly scheme utilizes the sustainable qualities of cork, using the material in order to serve as a thermal and acoustic isolator. the design also employs geothermal energy to heat the main building and swimming pools, while photovoltaic panels warm the water used throughout the hotel.

the program is organized around a central courtyard that connects various public spaces with hotel services
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

an outdoor pool and its adjacent bar are positioned at roof level
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

the pool provides panoramic views of the portuguese landscape
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

the use of cork is continued inside the hotel building
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

the natural façades lend the project an organic quality
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

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