BIO-FABRICATION WITH MYCELIUM 2019
ABSTRACT
Upon better understanding the basics of biomaterials and climate change, the project now proceeds forward into an experimental phase, discovering their natural characteristics, such as mycelium growth rate, colonization intensity, and hybridization with other materials. These samples will then have their subsequent properties further studied through specially identified tests, such as compression, bending, water resistance, and thermal qualities. The subsequent findings from these prototypes and experiments will then inform the final outcome, in the form of a Pavilion design proposal. Additionally, the design of the Pavilion will also advance in parallel to the prototyping and experimentation, working through multiple design iterations and narrative themes.
PHASE 1
MYCELIUM GROWTH EXPERIMENTS
MYCELIUM BLOCK SAMPLE :
PURE MYCELIUM
MYCELIUM & SALMON SKIN
MYCELIUM & ORANGE PEEL
MYCELIUM & KELP
MYCELIUM & TREE BRANCHES
MYCELIUM & CHARCOAL
PHASE 2
MECHANICAL TESTS
Compression Test:
The diagram below shows the comparison of the compression test result of each sample.
Thermal Test:
The right diagram shows the temperature differences between each mycelium sample.
PHASE 3
THE NARRATIVES
CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS
SOLASTALGIA
SENSORY DESIGN
UPCYCLING
Climate change – An omnipresent topic that touches almost every aspect of life and of which more and more people are aware of. That this awareness gets bigger and bigger was shown for instance in the Australian elections in May 2019, where climate change was one of the most important topics, at least for some of the parties. The more we understand climate change, the better we can address and get involved effectively in climate issues. Therefore, as designing for the pavilion, we look forward to cultivating interactive and participatory collaborations into our design. Henceforth, occupants can pool resources and integrate a range of information and processes, not merely in a specific artistic pursuit.
The concept of solastalgia is introduced by Glen Albrcht. Origins from the word “nostalgia”, solastalgia is defined as the pain or distress that is resulted by a negative change affecting inhabitants when they are directly linked to their home environments.1 Other than local events such as persistent drought and coal mining, climate change, a globally dominant source of physiological distress, is also one of the chronic environmental stressors resulting in solastalgia.
Inspired by Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa, architecture has the ability to initiate human sense. In his book The Eyes of the Skin he stated, sight is the dominant sense as human constantly relying on it when observing and studying surroundings. However, we as human will only remain a distant observer by merely relying on vision. By integrating sensory design in climate change awareness, the aim is to urge thinking that complements the life and culture of a community and brings people to think critically about climate change issues.
food wastes are naturally rich in carbohydrates and cellulosic fibers that are useful and valuable resources. The rational use of them can help reduce resource waste and environmental pollution. During the research, the team noticed that fungi could consume nutrients in the substrate and form complex hyphal networks, and cellulose fibers are one of the common nutrients. Food waste is a suitable mycelium feeding substrate since much of it is rich in cellulosic fibers.
PHASE 4
SCHEMATIC PAVILLION DESIGN
SCHEME 1
This first iteration in the design concept of the Pavilion has two layers: an above ground level and an underground level. The product shell exterior of the upper layer will consist of our finished sample tests, representing the full growth of the mushroom. The lower levels will then be dedicated to showcasing the growth process of the samples, from microscopic images, to direct cultivation of Mycelium jar samples, much like the actual roots of a mushroom below the soil - the Mycelium network, which our project is essentially based upon.
SCHEME 2
The second design is a biomimicry concept inspired by the microscopic plan view of the Mycelium growth. The structure of the Mycelium hyphae is magnified under the microscope and used to determine the overall structure of the dome. This design seeks to incorporate the self-organizing property of Mycelium hyphae into the Pavilion. Instead of a singular dome structure, this design utilizes several reiterated domes that are interconnected with each other, forming an in-between space of interior and exterior. This feature then promotes the thematic of the sensorial and climate change, allowing the user to experience the temperature difference between the different areas of the Pavilion.
SCHEME 3
The third design is a narrative-driven design, drawing inspiration from the form of the NASA Pavilion. The form depicts the use of biomaterials as a protective layer around the Earth, essentially preserving life by negating the effects of climate change. This layer circumnavigates the center Pavilion, creating a ‘cap’ around it. Similar to a cell wall protecting the cell, the exterior layer represents this covering that shields the center core of the Pavilion, made to resemble the Earth. The exterior will be promoting a solid shell by utilizing the Mycelium block samples like bricks, stacking over one another
Exterior Facade: Protective 'CAP' of the Earth
(Mycelium Brick)
Interior Exhibition Space: The Delicate Ecosystem
More information about mycelium pavilion design please read the pavilion design guideline ...