cub
A cork child's chair (2004)

These childrens' chairs are made completely from cork that originates as the waste material from the bottle stopper industry. Cork has tremendous potential to perform in ways unlike any other material, as well as being an environmentally responsible material. These chairs are the result of the desire to develop my own techniques for casting granulated cork. Through learning to cast the material I am able to insure the ecological responsibility of all binding agents used, as well as streamline from scratch the production processes. Cast cork produces a dense, unusual texture, highly attractive and intriguing to the eyes and hands of young children. I hope to adapt the technique in the future to produce an adult-size version, but for now we will just have to wish we were tiny again...

float
(2003)

This was the first piece of furniture I designed using cork. As you can see from the construction, I was (and still am) part woodworker, part corksmith. The frame is black lacquered beech, the seat cork. It's a bit higher than most contemporary lounge chairs, so it's very easy to get in and out of. Still, it is supremely comfortable and the cork seat feels luxurious in its tactility. The proportions of the seat are generous, allowing many different seating positions to be achieved comfortably. Pour yourself a cocktail and have a seat, I insist.

alentejo
(2004)

These cork bowls and dishes were inspired by the traditional drinking vessel used by cork harvesters to stay hydrated in the hot, arid fields where cork trees grow. The only liquid I would recommend for these is water, but they are also perfect for fruit, candy, keys, and in a pinch, as a bicycle helmet. Trust me- one day soon it will be very fashionable to ride your bike around town with a big piece of cork strapped to your head...

flex
(2003)

This is a small bench made of cork and neoprene. This piece sprouted from investigating the balance between the flexibility and structure inherent in cork. Composed of independently moving components, the bench settles and wraps itself around the user, and functioning together as a group the sections fully support human weight.

cortiça
A cork chaise longue (2004)

I have discovered that when handled correctly, the natural flexibility of cork allows it to form fantastic, complex shapes no other material can match. At over 72 inches long, Cortiça is a full-size chaise longue with a place for head, heels, and everything in between.

The balanced form, along with the pliability of the material allows the user of this lounge to rock gently from side to side or on her back with a great degree of stability. The result is a sensation of floating, weightlessness and total support.

Knowing that cork is naturally 100% waterproof, I decided to tackle a little experiment. With two intrepid stunt pilots, I took the shop chaise down to a local beach, and rode it right out into Buzzards Bay! Floats like, well, a cork--only more ergonomic. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself here! (35mb QT)

sway
A seat that moves with you (2004)

These stools are made completely from cork that originates as the waste material from the bottle stopper industry. The central column of the stool, located directly under the spine of the user, is flexible, solid cork while the rest is perforated. The result is a seat that flexes and pivots under the weight of the user, responding to the slightest body movement. The user's muscles remain slightly engaged to maintain balance, improving posture and circulation. Many have reported this to be a perfect seat for working at a desk or computer, enabling the user to move and rock while working and thinking.

Because cork is 100% waterproof and impervious to rot and mold growth, this piece functions as well outdoors as it does in. Perfect for a bit of meditation in the garden. One client has hers sitting outside, and last I looked, they look the same as when I delivered them one year ago! Amazing.

onda
A modular cork wall panel (2005)

Onda is a 60cm x 60cm modular wall panel. Each panel consists of a single, compound-bent reversible plane, convex on one side and concave on the other, set into a simple frame flush with the sides.

When a group of panels are hung together, they create a dramatic, three-dimensional rolling landscape along the wall. Because cork is highly sound absorbent, Ondais ideal for large public spaces such as restaurants or hotels. In addition it can serve as a surface to pin sketches and papers to, making it ideal for use in the home or creative workspaces. They can be hung one by one, or tiled together to cover an entire wall. In addition to cork's natural sound absorbency, it is also fire-resistant and resistant to all types of rot, mold and bacterial growth. Naturally.

minhoca
(2006)

A further evolution on the bending techniques used in making Cortiça and Onda, these stools derive from the various ways I have found myself sitting on the Cortiça chaise, and tailoring the seating design to better accommodate these habits. The larger stools serve as handy perches for relieving leg and back strain, with just the slightest movement and response to the body. The smaller stool is ideal in height for children, or for use as a footstool.

bacia grande
Cork Vessels (2007)

These cork bowls and dishes were inspired by the traditional drinking vessel used by cork harvesters to stay hydrated in the hot, arid forests where cork trees grow.

Bacia Grande is made completely from the waste material of bottle-stopper production. At over 22" in diameter, it is a single-piece cork vessel on a dramatic scale. After several generations of re-constitution, cork maintains a tactile presence and warmth in the hand. I am fascinated by the fact that while the material is wholly ecological, it is above all a seductive and luxurious material, green or otherwise.