Crafting comfort from cork
- Daniel makes inviting, warm and friendly furniture from cork
- His process is fluid, respecting the material and treating it with empathy
- He collaborates with interior designers, architects and manufacturers globally
Daniel Michalik finds working with cork an intuitive practice, and enjoys its softness, smooth feel and pliability. “In Portugal, where the tradition of growing and harvesting cork is generations old, people believe humans and cork are psychologically connected,” he says. “When you push into it, it gives under pressure, which in my mind mimics the human body. It is like touching a person.” These characteristics influence Daniel’s process. He works in a fluid and informal manner, appreciating the softness of the material and how quickly it responds to tools like the bandsaw and lathe. Daniel’s pieces are notable for their rounded edges, smooth finishes and effortless tactility. His furniture has been exhibited at the Milan Furniture Fair. Daniel also teaches product and industrial design at the Parsons School of Design.
INTERVIEW
It is able to stretch in a way wood cannot. It can provide plenty of structure as a piece of furniture and it can support weight. It can be compressed and then recover its original volume and shape. That is helpful in thinking about joining materials.
I try to make things that are not formal or intimidating. I am not trying to impress people with my technical expertise. I am not trying to make something that is off-putting or turns you away. I want things to be friendly, inviting, soft and welcoming.
I want us to be able to see the value in regenerative materials. We can still live with abundance and joy with objects and take care of natural systems. Materials like cork that foster life rather than extract from it, can also be comforting, luxurious and durable.
A big moment was when I designed and built furniture for the Google store in New York. The architects who designed the space wanted to provide a psychologically healthy environment and a neuroaesthetic space. I helped develop and fabricate about 26 pieces of furniture.
