Sector -- Workplace cork
Cork flooring for offices -- workplace specification.
Cork plank in office and circulation zones. IIC 71-73 acoustic absorption across open-plan floors. Bfl-s1 fire rating standard. Specified at The Waterman, Sybarite own studio, Taylor Maxwell HQ, Unusual Rigging HQ and HTA Design.
Order specifier samplesFeatured project
The Waterman, Farringdon Lane -- Classic Cork Original Shell.
Ambit Moat / Fathom Architects / Fettle Design specified Classic Cork Original Shell across all offices, meeting rooms and circulation. Nightshade in the WCs. Onsite seal applied for added durability.
A single material specification across the full workplace floor, IIC 71 acoustic, BREEAM Mat 03 Exemplary, A+ VOC.
See the project
Project anchors
Cork in workplace projects.
"In an open office, the cumulative noise floor across a working day is the difference between a calm interior and one people quietly hate. Cork moves the dial."
Specification
Why cork specifies into offices.
7mm or 11mm plank
Classic Cork at 7mm for typical workplace volume; Cork Styles at 11mm for high-traffic specs. Floating click or fully adhered (glue-down).
IIC 71-73
Closed-cell cork structure absorbs impact noise. Materially reduces footfall transmission across multi-occupancy floors compared to LVT or oak parquet.
R9 standard
R9 (DIN 51130) shod ramp test. PTV 36+ pendulum performance available with additional surface finish, on request -- specified per project.
BREEAM Mat 03
Mat 03 Exemplary on cork. Plus Hea 02 (acoustics IIC 71-73), Hea 05 (A+ VOC), Mat 06 (lifecycle impact). Documentation per project.
-101
kg CO&sub2;e/m² net
Carbon negative once balanced with carbon sequestration. The cork tree absorbs more CO&sub2; across its 9-year regenerative growth cycle than is emitted in cradle-to-gate manufacture.
Class B
fire rating standard
Bfl-s1 per EN 13501-1 across the range. Specified into commercial floors without additional fire treatment.
Zero
PVC in construction
No PVC. Cork plank + cork core + cork backing + UV-cured polyurethane. Specified into WELL, healthcare and SKA fit-outs that exclude vinyl.
Architect studio case study
Sybarite specifies it in their own studio.
The Sloane Square architecture practice -- known for Aesop, Marni, Karla Otto and global retail flagships -- runs Original Natural cork across their materials library and open-plan studio.
The cork sits underfoot every working day at the people who recommend it to their clients.
See the projectOrder specifier samples
Cork for offices. 100mm samples, delivered.
Order specifier samples + a workplace BREEAM contribution pack. London, Manchester, Edinburgh -- 30-min product presentation at your studio, walking through TDS, EPD and acoustic data.
Order samples Book product presentationAcoustics for open-plan and hybrid offices
Open-plan offices amplify footfall, chair movement and speech reflection. Cork tackles the problem at the source: it absorbs impact sound rather than transmitting it, taking the edge off busy walkways and breakout zones without acoustic ceiling work. See our dedicated guide to acoustic cork flooring, and Part E acoustic flooring where office-to-residential conversions bring separating-floor requirements into play.
Sustainability that survives procurement
Cork is PVC-free and carbon-negative as a raw material, claims that hold up in BREEAM and ESG-led fit-out assessments. Classic Cork carries a 10-year commercial warranty, and refinishing rather than replacing keeps embodied carbon down across the lease cycle. For London fit-outs, see eco-friendly flooring in London, or browse the Classic Cork Collection for boards and finishes.
Working out the build-up? See our flooring systems and build-ups guide for acoustic layers, subfloor prep and underfloor heating detail in commercial fit-outs.
Cork flooring for offices, specifier FAQ
Is cork flooring suitable for a commercial office?
Yes. Classic Cork is rated Use Class 33 for heavy commercial traffic and carries a 10-year commercial warranty. Its resilient acoustic core (IIC 71–73) suits open-plan and cellular offices where impact-sound control and comfort underfoot matter.
How does cork perform acoustically in a workplace?
Cork reduces impact and ambient noise at source rather than relying on a separate underlay. Classic Cork delivers IIC 71–73 and contributes to BREEAM Hea 02 and Hea 05, making it well suited to offices targeting acoustic comfort and wellbeing.
Is cork durable enough for high-traffic office areas?
Yes. Rated Use Class 33, fire-classified Bfl-s1 and PTV 36+ for slip resistance, cork handles reception, circulation and breakout zones, and can be re-sanded and refinished rather than replaced.