A New Material Age
Abstract
We stand at the boundary of the innovation to create a new age of materiality one in which we can interface with the natural world. We are now able not to just learn from nature but to enhance and enable its existence our urbanizing landscape. This investigation aims to challenge linear extractive thinking and move towards to a more circular regenerative focus, “moving away from assembly but into growth” (Oxman, 2019). As I began my exploration into biological networks I discovered my interest in fungi, in particular mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi commonly referred to as its “roots”, consisting of a network of white tubular filaments called hyphae. Mycelium has the ability to create “complex networks” (Sheldrake, 2021) that bind organic substrates together to create new materials from what would be considered waste. |
This research project aims to understand and further the possibilities of mycelium as a building material and contribute to the already existing discourse. This investigation will focus on mycelium’s capabilities to replace typical non-uniform insulation such as spray foam and develop non-uniform biodegradable insulation for architectural spaces that can not use standardized rigid block insulation. The tests will be conducted in four stages testing multiple conditions. |
Research question:
How can we utilize form finding to test mycelium’s ability to create non-uniform biodegradable insulation to replace typical
non-regenerative alternatives such as spray foam?
How can we utilize form finding to test mycelium’s ability to create non-uniform biodegradable insulation to replace typical
non-regenerative alternatives such as spray foam?
Aim:
To test and analyze through form finding and tactile growth processes how we can develop non-uniform biodegradable insulation for architectural paces that can not use standardized block insulation. This study aims to prove that mycelium composites can replace tradition non-biodegradable alternatives. This project has a ecological focus on new materiality focusing on a small scale study looking at the possibilities of the material.
To test and analyze through form finding and tactile growth processes how we can develop non-uniform biodegradable insulation for architectural paces that can not use standardized block insulation. This study aims to prove that mycelium composites can replace tradition non-biodegradable alternatives. This project has a ecological focus on new materiality focusing on a small scale study looking at the possibilities of the material.
Research relevance:
Up until this point in our history the wider public’s opinion about grown bio-materials has been limited and relatively negative due to its association with infection. This study will aid in reducing ‘mycophobia’ and be part of a bio-evolution in design that promotes bio-materials at a new age of design thinking (Ruan-Soto, F. et al., 2013). The construction industry is responsible for 36% of solid waste generated in the U.K. There is now more single use plastic in your average wall than one person will produce in a decade. Due to the construction industry’s destructive ‘take, make and dispose’ philosophy an estimated 55% of plastics from the construction industry end up in landfill (Finch, 2019). Our relationship as humans with sterile environments and synthetic plastics has bred an age of control over living organisms instead of working alongside them (Oxman, 2019). Mycelium does not contain synthetic material, can be grown in any location and is biodegradable this in turn will reduce material travel costs and reduces the amount of material ending up in landfill (Bris, R., Soares, C.G., Martorell, S., 2009). |
Research application:
The application and inspiration of this study is larger irregular architectural spaces such as barges, with irregular typologies that an not be effectively insulated with block insulation. The tests within this study are to conducted to analyze how we can insulate a barge without having to use non-regenerative spray foam. Limitations of existing products Mycelium Rigid block insulation panels | BIOHM 1) BIOHM Mycelium Insulation only comes in standard block form 2) Blocks are not as effective at sealing air gaps, but we can take advantage of bio-welding Spray foam 1) Non-compostable 2) Creates toxins in manufacturing process, application and use 3) Binds to material it is applied to so that material can not be recycled |
Research Process:
Through an iterative process of form finding I tested myceliums ability grows into multiple typologies, under varying conditions and time frames. By understanding mycelium as a material and the limitations of its physical growth process this helped dictated the projects focus and next stages. The research was |
focused on translating forms through pinpressions which allowed the mycelium to grow in optimum condition while grown away from the site. The final stages of the project look at scalability through biowelding to allow larger spaces to be effectively insulated by larger panels of mycelium forms. |
Experiment 2
After understanding the material in experiment 1 I could begin to test its limits. Material Granulation By grinding the substrate into a finer dust it allowed the substrate to be compacted into the mould into corners and so greater detail was achieved. This process was combined with skinning to create a better surface texture which is more water resistant and high in durability. Larger granulation (left mould) Smaller granulation (right mould) "Skinning" mycelium
“Skinning” is a process where after 7 days of growing within a mould the mycelium sample is taken out of the mould. The mould is then placed into a filter bag and sterilized water is sprayed on sample to keep the filter bag humid the sample is then left for another 5 days. This extended growing period creates a “fungal skin”, a thin flexible sheet of a living homogeneous mycelium, which strengthens the durability and surface achieving more accurate non-uniform volumes. |
Experiment 3 Prinpression The pinpressions were able to translate the non-uniform typologies. Three main forms were translated; irregular curves, nodes and pipes which are all commonly found in the building envelope. These all creating interesting negative forms. As the mycelium was growing around the plastic barrier which was added between the pins and the mycelium so the mycelium would not grow and merge to the pins, this result created a fabric like textured surface. Pinpression process
|
Experiment 4
Biowelding One of the most desirable traits of spray foam is its ability to seal air gaps; mycelium has a similar ability. Mycelium can bio-weld surfaces together to create one homogeneous surface. The concept of bio-welding “enables the binding of the material without using external binding agents” using only live mycelium to “weld” material together by growing between them (Modanloo, B. et al. , 2021). To keep the test conditions constant I will be bio-welding six 120x120x60mm surfaces at the same scale as the other samples. This test focuses on scalability to see how we can insulate spaces like barges and non-uniform parametric architecture with non typical regenerative insulation. To make this research more applicable to a specific space I recreated a section of the interior of a barge with similar typologies (corrugated steel, timber battens and pipework)common within the built envelope. This non-uniform typology became the surface by which to grow the mycelium on. |
Next Steps
Further research
Mycelium needs certain growth conditions to growth effectively without infection so can not currently be applied on site. By combining 3D scanning and pinpressions we can translate forms and create an output that the mycelium can grow upon then this form can be bio-welded to seal and make larger panels and eventually be scalable to larger spaces. (diagram below)
Further research
Mycelium needs certain growth conditions to growth effectively without infection so can not currently be applied on site. By combining 3D scanning and pinpressions we can translate forms and create an output that the mycelium can grow upon then this form can be bio-welded to seal and make larger panels and eventually be scalable to larger spaces. (diagram below)