Cork Trunk Bench

Cork Trunk Bench

Cork Trunk Bench is an innovative furniture design that exemplifies sustainable design principles through its ingenious repurposing of industrial waste materials. This ergonomically conceived seating solution, designed by Miguel Arruda, transforms recycled cork granulate and polyurethane into a functional piece of furniture through a sophisticated manufacturing process involving compression, heat treatment, and binding agents within a metal cylinder. The bench's distinctive feature lies in its ten-degree angular cut on one face, enabling dual seating configurations that provide different ergonomic positions and comfort levels. The cylindrical form, measuring 300mm in diameter and available in heights of 450mm and 600mm, emerges from a larger industrial process where cork composite materials are manufactured for flooring underlayment. The material composition achieves specific technical parameters, including a compression strength of 100, a compression recovery of 70, and a specific weight of 230kg/m3, contributing to its durability and functionality. The design, which won the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, demonstrates exceptional innovation in material reuse while maintaining high standards of comfort through its carefully considered ergonomic properties. The flexibility provided by the binding element between the cork granulate and polyurethane enhances user comfort, particularly in supporting the coccyx area, while the natural properties of cork contribute to the bench's sustainable credentials and aesthetic appeal.

sustainable furniture, ergonomic seating, recycled materials, cork design, industrial waste repurposing, innovative bench

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Cork Trunk Bench.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/cork-trunk-bench?E=438157 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"