Cork and Code: Fusing Nature and Technology
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Gencork have put into mass production a custom wall feature originally designed by the architecture firm for the brand’s London headquarters. The new product is another step forward in achieving the stated mission of the Portuguese brand, established in 2015: “redefining cork innovation through regenerative design,” a philosophy coined as “naturology,” focusing on merging nature and technology.
Le_Brimet, Gencork Creative Director, discusses working with the analog and digital as “Fertile creative territories,” in which AI is not seen as a threat but as a grand opportunity: “A land full of seeds of curiosity. And now, artificial intelligence stands beside us—a collaborator, a disruptor, a co-creator. “
Thalia, one of the four original patterns, was recently debuted at Maison&Objet in Paris on the 10th anniversary of the brand. The swirling, three-dimensional relief design is a symphony of smooth curves and layered textures resulting from ZHA’s generative design experimentation. It recalls the natural flow of waves or an imaginary topography to create an interplay of light and shadow with the distinctive earthy tactility of the black cork using only sustainably sourced cork from the branches (falca in Portoghese) to create block clusters in an autoclave. The 100% natural production process uses biomass energy and no additives, minimizing environmental impacts.
contemporary art and design. The c(AI)rcle is a sustainable and conscious statement with a pioneering perspective of the world.
The c(AI)rcle is our planet asking to be seen with a new and holistic vision.
Beyond the visual, the cork walls provide sound and thermal insulation and vibration reduction, adding to workplace well-being. ZHA states that “By utilizing computational algorithms, the design underwent numerous iterations and prototypes to achieve its final three-dimensional sculptural form, crafted from cork…experimenting with variables like curve symmetry, smoothness, gradation, and pattern density.”
The collaboration makes the product available to the general public, underscoring a future-forward approach to advanced design and highlighting the potential of sustainable materials in architecture.