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ABSTRACT
This
research
will
create
greater
bring
awareness
of
the
potentialities
of
cork
as
sustainable
material,
and
seek
possible
new
uses
of
cork
materials
in
architecture.
Cork
is
a
natural,
recyclable,
renewable
and
non-toxic
resource,
with
strong
impact
in
Mediterranean
culture
and
ecosystems
for
centuries.
Recent
developments
in
cork
research
demonstrate
that
its
application
goes
far
beyond
the
classical
cork-wine
cultural
relationship
that
is
globally
recognized.
Cork
usage
is
one
of
the
most
promising
trends
in
sustainable
development,
due
to
its
unique
natural
properties,
exceptionally
good
environmental
qualities
and
its
high
potential
to
incorporate
innovative
technology.
Today
amongst
other
uses
we
see
cork
used
as
a
textile,
in
automobile
parts,
as
a
thermal
shield
in
space
crafts,
for
example.
This
diversity
is
crucial
for
the
sector's
feasibility.
However,
there
is
still
a
lack
of
information
and
diffusion
within
the
engineering
and
architecture
sectors;
stakeholders
lack
awareness
to
use
and
select
cork
materials
for
construction.
This
research
started
two
years
ago
with
the
organization
of
an
international
workshop
focused
on
the
use
of
cork
as
a
material
in
architecture.
It
provided
an
environment
for
researchers,
architects,
industry
and
other
interested
parties
to
meet
and
develop
ideas
and
experiments
using
cork.
Due
to
the
spectrum
of
cork
materials,
it
is
organized
in
a
three
years
cycle:
1-natural
cork
materials,
2-composite
materials,
3
new
materials/technologies.
The
results
of
the
two
past
years,
proved
themselves
to
be
beyond
expectations.
In
order
to
reinforce
the
methodology
we
divided
the
research
into
three
main
subjects
that
will
be
consisting
through
the
workshops:
cork
as
a
membrane,
cork
as
a
finishing
and
cork
as
self-
supporting
material.
This
research
aims
that
in
the
future
there
will
be
greater
application
in
architecture
and
eventually
will
contribute
to
greater
sustainability
in
the
construction
business
as
well
as
in
the
cork
sector.
Keywords:
1-Cork,
2-sustainable
materials,
3-Materials
Engineers
Design,
4-
Architecture,
5-
Culture