Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak, which is stripped by hand from the living tree and regrows; the tree is not felled, and bark is typically harvested about every nine years. In this booth a 1.5 cm panel of natural, unsealed cork fills the upper back, framed in slim oak and separated from the upholstered lower back by a brass strip.
Cork is warm to the touch, lightweight and has a fine cellular texture. It also absorbs some sound, which helps in hard-surfaced rooms, although a single panel will not transform a room's acoustics on its own.
The cork is placed where guests' heads and shoulders rest less often than on a full upholstered back, and it is on a separate framed panel so it can be replaced if damaged. The lower back and seat are upholstered in bouclé or any contract fabric.
