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.

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
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.

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
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.

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
the program is organized around a central courtyard that connects various public spaces with hotel services
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
an outdoor pool and its adjacent bar are positioned at roof level
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
the pool provides panoramic views of the portuguese landscape
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
the use of cork is continued inside the hotel building
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel evora portugal designboom
the natural façades lend the project an organic quality
image © FG+SG / fernando guerra and sergio guerra

 

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jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 
jose carlos cruz arquitecto ecork hotel designboom
 

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