From Field to Form: Cork

From Field to Form is a series of events exploring the possibilities, life cycles, and architectural implications of plant- and earth-based materials.

Cork is a remarkable material—lightweight, durable, regenerative, and recyclable. Harvested from the bark of the Quercus suber oak tree without harming the tree itself, cork is naturally fire-resistant, water-resistant, and has anti-fungal qualities. A cork tree can live 250 years, offering its bark for harvest every decade, and cork forests act as “carbon sinks,” sequestering millions of tons of carbon.

Cork has been used as a building material in architecture and design for centuries, finding applications in flooring, wall coverings, furniture, and thermal and acoustic insulation. As the design and construction industries work to reduce environmental harm and eliminate toxic materials, cork offers a renewable and non-toxic alternative.

How is cork shaping the future of sustainable materials? Organized in partnership with at Parsons School of Design, this event convenes experts from across the cork supply chain—a forester, recycler, and an architect—to discuss how cork is cultivated, processed, and repurposed to create healthier buildings and products.

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Current Architectural League members receive a free ticket to this and other events throughout the year. To access your fully discounted member ticket or tickets, click "Enter promo code" in the ticket window and enter your Member Number.

All confirmed attendees may claim Continuing Education Units for this event.

This event will not be livestreamed.

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Host or Publisher The Architectural League of New York