Materiality: Cork
It’s time for builders and designers to take a lesson from sommeliers and get to know cork. Harvested from the cork oak, a tree native only to countries bordering the Mediterranean, cork is providing a sustainable solution to various construction needs. The material is made from the bark of the cork oak itself, and can be harvested safely once every nine years without damaging the tree. The selections featured here showcase both the practical and theoretical boundaries that cork is helping to break.
Cork Speakers / The Home Project / the-home-project.com /
These speakers prove cork’s usefulness beyond an aesthetic. Lightweight and shock-resistant, these USB speakers for laptops dampen vibrations due to the cork’s natural qualities.
Cork Mosaic Tile / Habitus / habitusnyc.com /
The benefits of cork come fully forward with this cork tile. As a material, cork allows the tile to repel moisture, and it is a softer surface to stand on that retains a steady temperature of 70 degrees year-round.
Dulce De Leche Divan / Trevor O’Neil Design / trevoroneil.com /
As much reclamation as leisure seat, this divan is made of 90 inches of cork salvaged from a Chicago warehouse conversion. Laminated birch legs and light cushions provide a striking contrast.
Cork Peg / molo design / molodesign.com /
With a unique magnetic mounting system, these cork pegs allow for a unique storage system. The load is anywhere from 1.2 to 2.2 kilograms, depending on where the object is hung on the peg.
And for more cork-inspired work from these designers and manufacturers, as well as additional views of these, check out the gallery:
