CORK

Cork is the material I chose for Utopia, the public commission I was awarded by the Miami Design District in 2023 - my largest commission to date, and the first in the United States. The decision was material-led: cork is native to Portugal, naturally waterproof, biodegradable, and sustainably harvested without cutting the tree. It is also, structurally, a remarkably honest material - its cellular structure is visible at every scale, from a cross-section the size of a thumbnail to the surface of a 3-metre sculpture. The four Utopia installations - outdoor seaters, tables, and light sculptures — were shaped using a 5D robotic milling machine in Portugal, then completed and painted by hand in pastel hues drawn from Miami's architectural palette.

Utopia sculptures are designed to be eco friendly and are primarily made from cork, one of nature's most sustainable materials. Cork is cultivated from tree bark and the trees never need to be cut down since the bark is simply collected. The bark is compressed into large blocks and milled with 5D robotic milling machine into pieces which are  then assembled and finished by hand. 

Cork is also a naturally waterproof material and commonly used as a bottle stopper because of this characteristic, therefore it is very much appropriate to be used for outdoor furniture.