The Cortiça Chaise Lounge by Daniel Michalik @ Branch The talented Brooklyn-based Daniel Michalik considers himself “part woodworker, part corksmith.” The primary focus of his work is to research and expand upon the uses of unconventional and underutilized materials. His recent work investigates the “rich potential of cork, an engaging, environmentally responsible material which is completely sustainable, recyclable and plentiful.” Michalik has upped Cortiça’s eco.status by not only using renewable cork to begin with, but also by collecting the cork from the bottle-stopper industry and recycling it, giving it a whole new life and purpose in his many beautiful and functional pieces. A non-toxic marine-grade adhesive was also used. At over 72” long, the sculptural Cortiça boasts “a balanced form, along with the pliability of the material which allows the user 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.” This sounds like fun and I’d love to test drive one of these! If you’re in New York City and want to see this incredible piece in person, you’re in luck. The Cortiça is currently on view in the exhibition space of Material Connexion, though I do believe that visitors need to schedule an appointment ahead of time.

The Cortiça Chaise Lounge by Daniel Michalik @ Branch

The talented Brooklyn-based Daniel Michalik considers himself “part woodworker, part corksmith.” The primary focus of his work is to research and expand upon the uses of unconventional and underutilized materials. His recent work investigates the “rich potential of cork, an engaging, environmentally responsible material which is completely sustainable, recyclable and plentiful.”

Michalik has upped Cortiça’s eco.status by not only using renewable cork to begin with, but also by collecting the cork from the bottle-stopper industry and recycling it, giving it a whole new life and purpose in his many beautiful and functional pieces. A non-toxic marine-grade adhesive was also used.

At over 72” long, the sculptural Cortiça boasts “a balanced form, along with the pliability of the material which allows the user 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.” This sounds like fun and I’d love to test drive one of these!

If you’re in New York City and want to see this incredible piece in person, you’re in luck. The Cortiça is currently on view in the exhibition space of Material Connexion, though I do believe that visitors need to schedule an appointment ahead of time.

.:March 18, 2008

The Cortiça Chaise Lounge by Daniel Michalik @ Branch Another view of the handmade Cortiça, created using very tactile, recycled cork from the bottle-stopper industry and non-toxic adhesives. :intro post:

The Cortiça Chaise Lounge by Daniel Michalik @ Branch

Another view of the handmade Cortiça, created using very tactile, recycled cork from the bottle-stopper industry and non-toxic adhesives.

:intro post:

.:March 18, 2008

Sway Stool by Daniel Michalik @ Branch Daniel Michalik’s Sway Stool would be the perfect companion for his Cortiça Chaise Lounge. As with the chaise, the Sway Stool is made from recycled cork, which is 100% waterproof and impervious to rot and mold growth, making both pieces perfectly suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Apparently, the stool is quite comfortable and has the flexibility to sway on account of its clever construction: “The central column of the stool, located directly under the spine of the user, is solid cork, while the rest is perforated.” This results in a seat that “flexes and pivots under the weight of the user, responding to the slightest body movement.” The advantage being that the user’s muscles remain slightly engaged in order to maintain balance, which in turn improves overall posture and circulation and allows one to rock back and forth while sitting for long periods of time at a desk or computer. Personally, I would still need the lumbar support of a proper office chair for extended desk use, but I could definitely see myself using the Sway Stool in a variety of other settings. Naturally, I also love its modern aesthetic and the overall feel of cork, so I’m quite curious to try it out. :intro post:

Sway Stool by Daniel Michalik @ Branch

Daniel Michalik’s Sway Stool would be the perfect companion for his Cortiça Chaise Lounge. As with the chaise, the Sway Stool is made from recycled cork, which is 100% waterproof and impervious to rot and mold growth, making both pieces perfectly suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Apparently, the stool is quite comfortable and has the flexibility to sway on account of its clever construction: “The central column of the stool, located directly under the spine of the user, is solid cork, while the rest is perforated.” This results in a seat that “flexes and pivots under the weight of the user, responding to the slightest body movement.” The advantage being that the user’s muscles remain slightly engaged in order to maintain balance, which in turn improves overall posture and circulation and allows one to rock back and forth while sitting for long periods of time at a desk or computer.

Personally, I would still need the lumbar support of a proper office chair for extended desk use, but I could definitely see myself using the Sway Stool in a variety of other settings. Naturally, I also love its modern aesthetic and the overall feel of cork, so I’m quite curious to try it out.

:intro post:

.:March 18, 2008

Sway Stool by Daniel Michalik @ Branch Recycled cork moulded into sculptural, dramatic pieces. “Eco-modern organic” at its best. :intro posts: here + here

Sway Stool by Daniel Michalik @ Branch

Recycled cork moulded into sculptural, dramatic pieces. “Eco-modern organic” at its best.

:intro posts: here + here

.:March 18, 2008

Alentejo Cork Bowls by Daniel Michalik @ Branch Michalik also uses recycled cork to create modern eco.friendly accessories that would work well in a variety of decor schemes. The Alentejo Cork Bowls were “inspired by the traditional drinking vessel used by cork harvesters to stay hydrated in the hot, arid fields where cork grows.”  Each of these simple, clean-lined bowls is handmade [the larger ones in Portugal; the smaller ones in Brooklyn], resulting in each piece being unique in shape and style. :intro post:

Alentejo Cork Bowls by Daniel Michalik @ Branch

Michalik also uses recycled cork to create modern eco.friendly accessories that would work well in a variety of decor schemes. The Alentejo Cork Bowls were “inspired by the traditional drinking vessel used by cork harvesters to stay hydrated in the hot, arid fields where cork grows.”  Each of these simple, clean-lined bowls is handmade [the larger ones in Portugal; the smaller ones in Brooklyn], resulting in each piece being unique in shape and style.

:intro post:

.:March 18, 2008