Most tables for the contract market, while sturdy, are little more than utilitarian pieces with standard finishes. Now Studio TK, in partnership with UK-based company Modus, introduces a fun trio, Modus Art, Arne, and Abe occasional tables crafted from 100% recycled cork.
The tables were designed by Michael Sodeau, who first explored the natural material when he was working on a resort project in Sagres, Portugal. Surprised by its special properties, Sodeau soon realized that cork could enhance pieces made for workplace settings. “Cork isn’t commonly used in contract office furniture,” he says. “I embraced its bulkier nature by creating products that celebrate roundness.”
Cork is a renewable resource, harvested from the outer bark of the Mediterranean cork oak tree without causing harm – a benefit for specifiers who want more sustainable options. The tables are produced with waste materials left over from the manufacturing of wine bottle corks.
Unlike hardwood timbers, which can only be machined, cork is flexible and can be compressed into various shapes, which gives it a dynamic quality. Sodeau decided to highlight this facet by including openings in the furnishings to highlight its texture and imperfections.
In April, Studio TK launched Bob, a cork stool also designed by Sodeau. He tried different shapes, and eventually created a character from the cork with two indents reminiscent of eyes, which also allows anyone to easily pick the piece up and move it anywhere. The stool, and now all of the tables, share similar silhouettes and functions but have distinct design personalities.
Art is the smallest of the three tables, and features an angled cutout that is ideal for a book, papers, or small items. The medium-sized Abe has a lower shelf that runs around its entire perimeter. The largest piece, Arne, showcases a concentric cutout on the top that is the perfect space for magazines.
Art, Arne, and Abe can all be grouped together, or simply placed next to sofas or larger tables. This triad complements a range of palettes and textiles, and can enhance any interior, whether contemporary or traditional. Cork is particularly suited to corporate spaces because it is water-repellent, easy to clean, and provides sound insulation. At the end of their lifecycle the tables can be mechanically recycled into new objects, or composted to enrich the soil.
For Sodeau, even though the tables are compact, they are as unique as the individuals who use them every day. “I like how they each have independent, sculptural, and expressive styles,” he notes.
For more information on Modus Art, Arne, and Abe occasional tables, visit studiotk.com.
Photography courtesy of Studio TK.
