RETHINKING CORK
Material: steel and cork
Dimensions: L 30 × W 30 × H 45 cm
Year: 2026
*ongoing project
Rethinking Cork is an ongoing material research project exploring new possibilities for cork within contemporary design. Positioned between a previous phase of experimentation and a future stage currently in development, the project reflects a continuous process of testing, transformation, and material inquiry.
Rather than focusing solely on cork’s established qualities—lightness, flexibility, and sustainability—the research begins from a different question: how can its limitations become a starting point for innovation?
The project investigates a composite material system in which cork is layered with jute to enhance its structural performance while preserving its natural character. Through a controlled lamination and stratification process, the material gains increased strength, durability, and resistance, generating a structure that performs beyond the sum of its individual components.
At the core of the research is the intention to redefine both the mechanical and perceptual qualities of cork. The process is not only technical, but also expressive, challenging the way the material is visually and tactilely understood within contemporary design.
The project exists at the intersection of material innovation, sustainability, and experimental design, opening new directions for the future application of cork-based composites.
//chiaraverde