I am a believer that as designers we have the responsibility of looking out for our environment and make sure that we provide the healthiest built environment possible for our clients. That is why I like to stay updated and do research on materials and design opportunities that are both sustainable and healthy.
Today I want to expand on the beauty of cork. Cork is one of the most ethical, sustainable and inert materials you can find. But this is not the only features that make cork so wonderful, it has additional physical properties that make it a great option for construction and other designs.
Here are some of these characteristics:
- It is 100% Biodegradable and recyclable We produce so much waste with all the products we consume on our daily lives. We should include in our design strategies the use of environmentally friendly materials and reducing the mount of material waste during production.
- It is a renewable source Cork is obtained from tree’s bark. The tree is never cut, in fact, it continues to live and grow. The bark grows back and can be harvested again. A tree can be harvested many times during it’s lifetime, and removing the bark improves it’s ability to absorb CO2
- Light weight -Almost half of it’s volume is just air!
- Great for thermal insulationGreat for insulation in construction as a formaldehyde-free material and as an alternative to foam and Polyurethane products.
- It absorbs vibrationCork acts as an air cushion which makes it great for sound absorption.
Anything else to add to the list? Please leave your comments below.