Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

FORMULA/ CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

C123H182O56N

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

Cork is the external protective layer of dead cells (known as bark) on an evergreen Cork Oak tree (Quercus suber).  The bark is composed of cells consisting of a gaseous composition similar to air particles, combined with layers of cellulose and suberin. The Cork Oak tree grows in the Mediterranean, particularly in Portugal and Spain.

EXTRACTION PROCESS

The harvesting process is achieved by stripping the bark off of the tree during the spring and summer seasons every nine to ten years, using a traditional cork axe.

BASIC PROPERTIES 

1. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (N/M2)                                                            152 N/M2
2. TENSILE STRENGTH (N/M2)                                                                        1.00E+00 N/M2
3. STIFFNESS (N/M2)                                                                                           -
4. DENSITY (KG/M3)                                                                                            100-130 KG/M3
5. CARBON FOOTPRINT (AVERAGE KGCO2E/KG)                                     0.379 KGCO2E
6. RECYCLABLE                                                                                                      YES
7. LASER                                                                                                                   HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
8. SMALL LASER                                                                                                    HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
9. MILLING                                                                                                              HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
10. 3D PRINTING                                                                                                     -

ADVANTAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL FABRICATION

Cork is a strong and light material that can be easily manipulated through digital fabircation. Due to its low desnity, it can be easily cut using a laser cutter or milling machine into a variety of forms. The waste it produces can be recycled and re-used for different digtial fabrication designs.

MATERIAL SUPPLIERS 

1. Surotecnia                     http://www.surotecnia.com
2. Bertran Cork                 http://www.exportersindia.com/bertrancorksl/contact.htm
3. Barnacork                      http://www.barnacork.com/empresa-barnacork/empresa-barnacork

PRICE  (€ / KG, CHEAPEST FOUND IN BCN, 2014)

1. Surotecnia   €7.80 per KG

REFERENCES 

Vaulted Cork Pavilion

By Pedro de Azambuja Varela, Maria João de Oliveira and Emmanuel Novo

Concreta 2013, Beinnial at Exponor, Porto in Portugal

The project was accomplished whilst studying in the Digital Architecture Advanced Studies Course (CEAAD), it was a collaborative development between ISCTE-IULisboa and FAUPorto. All the fabrication was achieved at VFABLAB-IUL

“Vaulted Cork Pavillion / Pedro de Azambuja Varela + Maria João de Oliveira + Emmanuel Novo” 08 Dec 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed 17 Oct 2014. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=455127>

Float

By Benjamin Hubert

London Design Festival 2009

http://www.dezeen.com/2009/09/23/float-by-benjamin-hubert-for-unique-copenhagen/

The lamps are hand-turned out of Portuguese agglomerate cork blocks and created using waste cork from wine stopper manufacturers.  The left over waste is fed back into the process and used to produce the next bunch of lamps.