About Cork Matters
Born from Porto based duo, designers Alzira Peixoto and Carlos Mendonça, Cork Matters continues their tradition of working with both local small and large companies to bring the best tools and teams to the design table. Beginning 2000, they have founded Simpleformsdesign, a design publishing house and consultancy providing design and product development services.
In 2007, they were awarded their first international design prize and since then, they have continued developing various industrial solutions in the form of products, receiving further design awards. Following on, in 2008 they dedicated themselves to a unique Portuguese raw material, cork, with the aim of production more sustainable and giving an identity to the design of new products. Cork Matters is the latest project delivered in the form a Design Concept Store in the centre of Porto, with the aim of publicising and sharing series of products with the general public.
With an intimate knowledge of both the local and international cork markets, as well as strong working relationships with the producers themselves, Carlos and Alzira remain well connected at the forefront of the cork industry, still with their burning passion of more sustainable world.
Our Designers
Carlos Mendonça
Alzira Peixoto
The Cork Collection
The Cork Collection, published by SimpleFormsDesign was honoured with DME Award 2007; Reddot 2008; and nominated by German Design Prize 2009 and GoodDesign Chicago 2009.
Additionally, a collection was developed in natural cork agglomerate and Rubber Cork, for a bathroom line comprising washbasins, soap dishes and bath mats. The collection was represented in several international private and public projects.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2008
NuSpa
Designed for a cork company, Nuspa has been awarded iF 2015; ChicagoGood Design 2015; nominated for the German Design Award 2016 and an honourable mention at the BID Biennale 2016. The collection was developed in natural cork agglomerate, with a parametric cell design reproduced in homothetic repetition, with production and output to CNC Robot for carving and texturing. Nuspa has already been featured in international public and private architectural projects.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2015
Moon Collection
Designed for a cork company, The Moon Collection was awarded Mixology 20 - Winner.
The Moon Table and Moon Chair, a collection developed in natural cork agglomerate and dark cork, from a monolithic cork element. The cork element is carved out of bionic shapes, in a way that simplifies the form and enhances the raw material as the object's primary element. The Moon Collection is designed for outdoor and indoor public environments.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2015
Mrs Rocha ( Limited Series )
Designed for the Movecho company, Mrs Rocha, was strongly inspired by the Portuguese coast, reproduced via differently textured cork agglomerates, creating an installation object that creates a three-dimensional composition. This provides the user with a variety of modular shapes that together create an organic and differentiating identity as a way of sitting and relaxing in the space that surrounds it. Mrs Rocha has been featured in different exhibitions and shows, as well as in international public and private architectural projects.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2012
Cork Coverings Collection
Designed for cork coverings company,this is a collection of wall coverings and Modular ceilings system, designed with the aim of incorporating cork into a contemporary design for architectural spaces and interior decoration with a strong sustainability component.
This collection has been tested and developed in various types of production, from digital printing to CNC and thermo-moulding. The incorporation of colour and the protection of the tiles provide the durability and resistance required for these cladding products. The enhancement of acoustic and thermal insulation creates the formula for technical differentiation in wall cladding.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2012 - 2024
Simpleformsdesign (Custom Objects)
Cork Matters continues to produce limited edition pieces for various brands, as it has done in the past through the SimpleFormsDesign label, with the aim of designing cork for multiple functions tailored to the client, but also as a design exercise.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2000 - 2024
Cork Matters (Cork Products in colour)
In association with the Cork Matters project, the diversification of cork design has given the brand a manifesto for utilitarian products for a clientele who appreciates shape design with personalised chromatics and natural texture, oriented towards contemporary private and public settings.
Design. Alzira Peixoto e Carlos Mendonça 2022 - 2024