2023-05-22 11:05:29
Originating from the cork oak, a tree of European origin, the cork It is a sustainable and very versatile material, as it is an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, and has long durability and great lightness.
Countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy and France – where cork oak cultivation takes place – have numerous examples of design and architecture that focus on the use of the material. Undoubtedly, its ecological properties are a great attraction.
“In its natural state, without the use of glues and other chemicals, when discarded, cork biodegrades and returns to nature”, explains Christian Ullmann, professor of design for sustainability and social innovation at IED.
On European soil, the material gives rise to entire lines of furniture and decorative objects, however, here in Brazil, it is not so popular. “That’s because the tree from which the cork is harvested is not Brazilian. And even if it is cultivated here, its growth and regeneration are slow”, points out Ullmann.
For the extraction of cork, the cork oak must be on average 40 years old. From that age, its bark can be removed, giving rise to the material, and, unlike many species, in nine months it regenerates and can be extracted again.
“Simple for regions where the species has been cultivated for thousands of years, but a slow process for those who want to start today”, reflects the professor. Another detail that explains the little use of the material by Brazilian designers and architects is transportation. In order to import cork to Brazil, in addition to the cost, much of the sustainability issue would be lost along the way.
Meanwhile, countries around the world find similar species in their own flora. “Around here, we have the buriti palm, which has a malleable wood and is widely used in handicrafts and in the production of toys”, details Ullmann.
In fact, it is the process of producing and using wood that guides the way cork is worked. Although studies on the cork oak and uses of the material have been explored in southern Europe, originating from the region’s extensive wine production, techniques and best practices dedicated exclusively to cork have not been designed.
“We thought of it as if it were wood and imposed our way of designing the material. Therefore, when we need a larger volume, we glue the cork sheets on top of each other. And then, we lost much of its biodegradable character”, points out the professor.
The lack of technologies dedicated to each material also affects, for example, the use of bamboo. “Thinking from a regenerative design point of view, we need to evolve so that we can get the best out of cork, as happens with metal. We master the material and manage to extract the best from it”, explains Ullmann, who also points out where to find the answers: in nature.
“We need to look at her, pay attention.”By uniting regenerative design and biomimicry, we learned how to be a little bit sustainable. “Because nobody is sustainable. We can evolve and have attitudes that walk this path and it is important that we do”, she declares.
JOn cork, a final curiosity, Portugal has a museum entirely dedicated to the material, the Planet Cork, in Vila Nova de Gaia, in the north of the country. The institution promises an educational and entertaining visit for children and adults alike.
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