context

LUX CORTEX was developed as a material exploration project focused on sustainable design practices. The brief was to investigate the creative potential of recycled materials and translate experimentation into a resolved design outcome.

concept

The project explores how material experimentation can drive design decisions. Rather than starting with a fixed form, the process began with understanding the behavior, texture, and interaction of cork and wood.

The core idea was to let the material inform the design, highlighting its natural qualities instead of imposing an external aesthetic.

process

• Conducted a series of 30 material experiments using recycled cork and wood

• Explored techniques such as cutting, layering, carving, bonding, and texturing

• Documented how each manipulation affected structure, flexibility, and surface quality

• Identified the most successful interactions between both materials

• Translated these findings into a final object

key decisions:

• Using recycled cork and wood to emphasize sustainability

• Prioritizing experimentation over predefined outcomes

• Allowing material behavior to guide the final form

• Focusing on the contrast and harmony between textures

outcome

A final object that integrates cork and wood into a cohesive design, showcasing their natural textures, tones, and structural possibilities. The piece reflects both the experimental process and the potential of recycled materials in product design.

reflection

This project taught me how to design through making. I learned that material exploration can uncover unexpected possibilities and that sustainability can be approached as a creative driver rather than a limitation. It reinforced the value of iteration and hands-on experimentation in developing meaningful design solutions.