Corian is a sort of synthetic stone created by mixing an aluminium compound with a plastic (or, if you prefer, and acrylic resin). It is manufactured by Dupont and is readily available in hundreds of colours and finishes.

The beauty of Corian is its versatility. It is as hard and as tough as stone, and yet can be thermoformed (warped into a shape by high temperature), sawn and cut like wood, and is inert, non-porous and chemically resistant. Due to its strength and durability it can be cut very precisely. In many ways it is a unique, even miraculous, substance.

Many people think of Corian as being a very new substance but in fact it has been around quite a while, since the mid-60s in fact, but it is only quite recently that the Corian concept has been catching the imagination of a wider public.

Of course where it is finding its niche is in the kitchen and hospital market, owing to its hygienic, easy clean properties and ease of installation. Also, because Corian is a ‘solid surface’ material, it can be joined seamlessly, which not only makes for a very attractive ultra-modern look, also cuts down on nooks and crannies that harbour bacteria.

An extension of the worktop, the Corian sink, is now becoming more popular – it can be fitted flush to the work surface – the ultimate in fuss-free design.

But, it is in the fields of art, design and architecture that some really interesting uses for this substance is being found. Taking a look round the industrial design houses, it seems that chairs and tables are attracting interest from designers looking to exploit the novelty and properties of Corian. For an ultra-modern look, its hard to be beaten.

Wall cladding is something else – Corian is not only chemically inert and non-porous, it is also fireproof. Corian is resistant to moisture, cold, heat and UV, so is equally at home outside as in.

Some ‘flavours’ of Corian are slightly translucent, giving it a slight glow when light is shone on it or through it, and for that reason it has attracted lighting designers. Capable of being formed into sensual or intricate shapes the material lends itself to many other applications, such as vases, and door handles. Not all Corian surfaces have this translucence, some are completely opaque, only adding to its versatility.

But, let’s not stop there, why not make an entire house out of the stuff? One artist, Karim Rashid has. I am sure you’ll agree its unlike any room you’ve ever seen, the translucent Corian subtly diffusing the light over its clean lines. See it here: http://blog.360dgrs.nl/archives/date/2010/04 .

So, when considering a new kitchen, bathroom or workplace environment, consider Corian, that tough, versatile and modern material from Dupont.

Alex Winwood works for <a href="http://www.worktop-concepts.co.uk">Worktop Concepts</a>, a kitchen surface fabricator using Corian.