Studio TK works in collaboration with British company Modus on the Modus Art, Arne, and Abe occasional tables. Each one is made entirely from recycled cork materials for a sustainable build. It was created by Michael Sodeau, who was looking to explore more on the natural material when he was working on a resort in Portugal.
He was surprised by its natural properties and soon found that it would be able to be implemented in a way that enhances workplace settings. He notes, “Cork isn’t commonly used in contract office furniture. I embraced its bulkier nature by creating products that celebrate roundness.” Cork itself is renewable and harvested from the Mediterranean cork oak tree in a way that does not cause harm.
Image Credit: Studio TK
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Furniture Design
- Recycled cork is being utilized in new ways to create eco-friendly furniture that marries sustainability with modern aesthetics.
- Natural Material Innovation
- Exploration of under-utilized natural materials like cork is leading to unique design solutions that push the boundaries of traditional furniture construction.
- Circular Economy Practices
- The integration of recycled materials in product design showcases the growing adoption of circular economy principles in the furniture industry.
Where This Applies
- Office Furniture Industry
- Cork's introduction into the design of contract office furniture presents new opportunities for environmentally conscious workspace solutions.
- Sustainable Interior Design
- Recycled cork usage in occasional tables highlights the expanding pursuit of sustainability within interior design practices.
- Eco-friendly Materials Production
- The demand for alternative materials like recycled cork is fostering innovation in material sourcing and production processes.
