Cork Block

Sofa for Miguel Arruda Arquitectos Associados, Lda

This agglomerate by Amorim Composits, from a composition of cork particles with polyurethane both recycled and consolidated with a binder, is launched inside a metal mold and subjected to pressure and temperature resulting in a specific physical cohesion, elasticity and effective adherence when overlapped. That suggested a set of 9 blocks of different dimensions and shapes for a sofa with one or two seats. The physical and tactile qualities and the possibility to add upholstery solutions with different colors provides diferent confort and ambience solutions, achieving different comfort levels.

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Download Press Kit № 124323 Sofa for Miguel Arruda Arquitectos Associados, Lda by Miguel Arruda to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Cork Block by Miguel Arruda

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Sofa by Miguel Arruda

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Miguel Arruda Cork Block

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Miguel Arruda Sofa

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Miguel Arruda Designer Portrait Photo

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Cork Block Sofa Press Releases

Press resources for Cork Block are offered in several languages: English.

Cork Block Sofa Media Articles

Leverage our ready-to-publish articles on Cork Block , offered in a range of languages: Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Portuguese, Dutch and Hindi.

Unique Properties

The cork agglomerate, results from a composition of cork granulate with polyurethane,both recycled and consolidated through compression, heat and the use of a binder inside a metal mold. The physical, elastic and tactile quality of the material and the possibility to add upholstery solutions with different colors, provides several different confort and ambience solutions, achieving diferent supports to the coccyx, back and arms, for different effective comfort levels.

Tags

Sofa, Seat, Furniture, Cork, Recycled

Production Technology

A agglomerate from cork granulate and polyurethane, both recycled and consolidated with a binder, is launched inside a metal mold with 90 x 90 x 38cm, and subjected to pressure and temperature, allowing at the end a compression strength of 100, a recovery of 70 and a weight of 230kg pcm. This blocks of physical, elastic and tactile quality material, are usually used only for technical acoustic solutions, are cutted allowing six types blocks, intended to combine for two different sofa solutions.

Design Challenge

It was necessary to find a binding agent that could merge the recycled cork and plastic particles granting the volume a degree of elasticity and comfort in the sitting position in order to achieve the proper stability and the durability needed for its use. After that first step, finding the right proportions and a reduced number of pieces/bricks needed to assemble each model became a fun but challenging game.

Project Duration

The project started in February 2018 and finished in October 2020, both in Lisbon.

Operation Flow

The rectangular blocks of the Cork Block Sofa are cut in different shapes, allowing it to have several combinations, intended to combine in several shapes and sitting positions. The physical, elastic and tactile quality of the material and the possibility to add upholstery solutions with different colors, provides several diferent confort and ambience solutions, achieving diferent supports to the coccyx, back and arms, for different effective comfort levels.

Research

The cork agglomerate by Amorim Composits, from recycled cork granulate particle size 2 to 3 mm with polyurethane, generates a rectangular block resulting from the above described operation with 90 x 90 x 19 cm. Its cohesion, elasticity and overlap adherence, suggested the possibility of composing a set of nine blocks of different shapes for a sofa. In indoor spaces, some volumes can be replaced by identical ones covered with fabric of different colors and with a more flexible interior.

Inspiration

The observation of nature, where the cork oak tree has a strong sculptural volumetry, the technological possibility of recycling cork and the technology employed that allows an adequate degree of elasticity for the new agglomerate designated by reference 5058, naturally gave space to imagine a diversified association of nine blocks that build the single sheet sofa and of thirteen blocks for the double seet layout. Other combinations appeared during the process, which is not closed but rather available for each user design experiences.

Image Credits

Image 1:Pedro Sadio, Image 2: Miguel Arruda, Image 3: Pedro Sadio, Image 4: Pedro Sadio, Image 5: Pedro Sadio

Project Overview

Cork Block Sofa has been a Silver winner in the Furniture Design award category in the year 2020 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Miguel Arruda was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to excellence of their work Cork Block Sofa.

Miguel Arruda Press Releases

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Cork Block Sofa: A Unique Blend of Nature and Technology

Miguel Arruda Unveils Innovative Cork Block Sofa Inspired by Nature and Technology

Miguel Arruda Newsroom

Discover outstanding design and award-winning initiatives in the Miguel Arruda Newsroom.