Studio Corkinho: Mother Earth

Burnt cork bark sensorial objects connected to Mother Earth and nourished by the benefits of cork’s versatility.

cork tree with bark removed

Cork: sustainable, diverse and innovative

Cortiça – Quercus Suber – the bark of the cork oak is prised – ‘stripped’ – from the tree using axes. Carried out every 9 years, a cork tree will live for 150 years. 

The harvesting of cork is a highly skilled and labour intensive process handed down between generations.

The cork industry is a backbone to Portugal’s rural way of life, supporting some 9,000 direct jobs and at least 6,500 indirect jobs. The local cork industry and agroforestry system encourages people to settle in local communities, halting the depopulation and maintaining industries surrounding livestock, beekeeping and production of aromatic and medicinal plants and mushrooms. 

Once removed from the tree the cork bark is stacked in the open air for around 6 months.

Cork not used for wine stoppers is broken down to a granular form and used to manufacture a wide range of sustainable, diverse and innovative products from cork flooring, to toys and of course Minimal Cork stylish homeware.

Read more at Cork Blimey!

Hygienic and helps protect against allergies

Cork is formed of a unique cellular structure that doesn’t absorb dust. It is hygienic and hypoallergenic – helping to protect against allergies, by not posing a risk to asthma sufferers.

Cork is resistant to impact or friction

Cork is made of a honeycomb structure making it resistant to impact or friction, which means it is comfortable to walk on, making it an ideal material for flooring, as it is comfortable to walk on, relieving strain on feet, joints, and back.

Very light material

Over 50% of cork is air, which at 0.16 grams per cubic centimetre makes cork a very light material, with the ability to float.

Comfortable and healthy

Cork is formed of a unique cellular structure that doesn’t absorb dust. It is comfortable, green, hygienic, child-friendly and helps protect against allergies.

Good acoustic properties

Corks natural properties mean a 53% reduction in sound.

Thermal comfort and potential energy savings

Cork has a low thermal conductivity value and provides good heat retention. Perfect for egg cups!

Moisture resistant and impermeable to liquids and gases

Cork is formed of gaseous components that enclose small impermeable compartments formed of moisture-resistant substances named suberin and ceroids. This means cork is practically impermeable to liquids and gases, allowing cork to age without deteriorating.

Shock absorbing and bounces back from impacts

With its natural memory, cork bounces back from impacts. It is the only solid which, when compressed on one side, does not increase in volume on the other side. As a result of its elasticity, cork adapts to variations in temperature and pressure without suffering alterations.

Wear resistant

Cork flooring is designed to be wear resistant, and is formed with a non-abrasive finish for easy maintenance.

Fire retardant

A natural fire retardant, cork burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during combustion.