Focus Studio- MYCO_LAB

Experiment 14 Cameron Shapiro MYCO_LAB @ KSU Focus Studio_Carroll Section Fall 2023

Introduction: Cameron the Knitter Cameron Shapiro has long been passionate about two distinct hobbies—mushroom hunting and knitting. Prior to the introduction of the Myco Lab Focus Studio, Cameron devoted years to honing her skills in both pursuits. Recognizing the unique potential in merging her love for foraging mushrooms with her creative expertise in knitting, she seized the opportunity to enroll in a course that would ultimately shape her innovative journey.

Combining her expertise in mushroom hunting and knitting, Cameron undertook the architectural project. This endeavor not only reflected her personal interests but also served as a platform to explore sustainable building techniques.

By fusing the organic and tactile elements of mushrooms with the eco-friendly aspects of knitting, Cameron delved into an exploration of holistic and environmentally conscious construction methods. Through this groundbreaking fusion, she not only expanded her creative horizons but also contributed to the growing discourse on sustainable design and architecture.

Precedent Study- MY-CO SPACE MY-CO SPACE represents a collaborative endeavor by the interdisciplinary SciArt collective MY-CO-X, developed in partnership with fungi (lat. mycota).

This project facilitates an artistic-scientific exploration of the potential social significance of fungi in shaping future places and spaces.

Drawing inspiration from the work of Galina Balashova (born 1931), the lone architect within the scientists and engineers of the Soviet space program, MY-CO SPACE is a habitable sculpture resembling a space station, seamlessly transporting Balashova’s visionary concepts into the 21st century. Balashova, renowned for her contributions to the interior design of manned spacecraft like Soyuz and the Mir space station, grappled with the challenge of integrating physical-technical structures and essential living functions within confined spaces subject to weightlessness and extreme physical stress during the 1960s-1980s.

In a contemporary context, MY-CO SPACE addresses pressing questions concerning humanity’s

Detailed image of MY-CO pannels on the extierior of the strcuture https://svenpfeiffer.de/project/the-world-of-fungi

Inside view of the space, with ample sheving units https://fungalbiolbiotech.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40694-02

Chapter 14: Cameron Shapiro, MYCO_LAB @ KSU, Focus Studio_Carroll Section, Fall 2023

Portrait (7.5”x 7.5”)

A single MY-CO Space unit takes shape, its form emerging under the protective cover of a tarp during the construction phase. https://www.static.tu.berlin/fileadmin/www/10002136/Presse_News/MY_CO_SPACE_Broschuere.pdf

ability to integrate biological-technical structures and essential living functions into minimal spaces, allowing people to thrive under conditions of limited resources. This sculptural habitat, crafted from wood and fungi, beckons individuals to reflect and explore sustainable ways of living on our planet.

The load-bearing wooden structure, adorned with 330 fungal panels, serves to make life in the smallest space—analogous to a space capsule— and cohabitation with fungi palpable. The organic materials used in its construction render it biodegradable. Originally designed for the open-air exhibition “tinyBE • living in a sculpture,” MY-CO SPACE, along with seven other habitable sculptures, provided a unique opportunity for visitors to not only appreciate the artworks during the day but also immerse themselves in an overnight stay, reshaping perspectives on art and life.

The sculpture, spanning about twenty square meters, allowed overnight guests to customize sleeping, reading, and working areas.

While lacking sanitary or kitchen facilities, the open design featured isolated roofing openings, providing glimpses both inward and outward.

Overnight guests were provided with camping mattresses, a two-person tent, and study materials related to fungi, including preserved cultures, fungal-based composite building bricks, books, a microscope, and a telescope. MY-CO SPACE thus served as a retreat and study space, maintaining contact and engagement with the external environment.

In echoing the visionary approach of Galina Balashova, MY-CO SPACE not only commemorates her legacy but also interprets her fundamental design question for contemporary challenges. By translating the transformative processes observed in fungi—deconstruction, transformation, and reconstruction of organic material—into a utopian living space characterized by resource recycling, the sculpture reflects the intricate symbiotic relationships between fungi, plants, and animals.

This cyclical collaboration, emphasizes the inherent connection between humans and fungi.

MY-CO Experment Process Material Selection: Carefully select four distinct types of yarn, each possessing unique sustainable attributes. Consider factors such as biodegradability, organic sourcing, and environmental impact.

Knitting Pouches: Utilize the selected yarn materials to knit individual pouches, each consisting of 50 rows and 48 stitches per row. Pay attention to the uniformity of the stitches and dimensions for consistency.

Bio-Innovation Lab Preparation: Head to the bio-innovation lab, ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Gather 500 grams of sawdust substrate and prepare a mixture comprising 500 grams of water and an inoculated liquid culture, fostering an environment conducive to mycelial growth.

Substrate Integration: Combine the sawdust substrate with the inoculated liquid culture mixture, creating a mycelium-rich substrate. Thoroughly incorporate this mixture into each knitted pouch, ensuring an even distribution within the yarn matrix.

Observation and Documentation: Place the inoculated pouches in a controlled environment conducive to mycelial growth. Regularly monitor the development of the mycelium within the pouches, noting any variations or distinctions among the different yarn types.

Adjustments and Enhancements: As the mycelium establishes itself, consider introducing additional rows to certain pouches if deemed necessary for optimizing structural integrity or mycelial colonization. Document any alterations made to observe their impact on the overall growth dynamics.

Data Collection: Systematically collect data on growth rates, structural strength, and any visual or textural differences observed between the various yarn types. Record these findings to inform future iterations or applications of the mycelium-infused knitted materials.

Analysis and Conclusion: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the results, drawing correlations between yarn material attributes and mycelial growth patterns. Conclude the experiment by summarizing key insights and potential applications for this innovative fusion of mycology and textile engineering.

Chapter 14: Cameron Shapiro, MYCO_LAB @ KSU, Focus Studio_Carroll Section, Fall 2023

70% LAINE 25% MOHAIR 5% POLYAMIDE

Knit pouches with 50 rows and 2,400 stitches

Stuff with around one kilogram of substrate for inoculation

wait for mushrooms to fruit into yarn and take its nutrients

100% COTTON

50% BAMBOO 50% COTTON

100% ACRYLIC

MY-CO Experment Product

In evaluating the yarns’ compatibility with mycelium growth, a notable hierarchy emerged: the purple yarn exhibited exceptional nutritive support, followed by the pink, blue, and, as expected, the green yarn. This insight provides valuable cues for optimizing sustainable biomaterials, showcasing the potential for tailored yarn compositions to influence mycelial proliferation in biofabrication processes.

Chapter 14: Cameron Shapiro, MYCO_LAB @ KSU, Focus Studio_Carroll Section, Fall 2023

MY-CO Extrapolation - MY-CO Knit Bricked Wall

The fusion of mycelium with knitted pouches for crafting building blocks represents an innovative venture into sustainable construction. This technique capitalizes on mycelial enzymatic processes and hyphal growth patterns to naturally intertwine with the organic fibers of the knitted structure, resulting in a composite material known for its impressive tensile strength.

Through a carefully monitored cultivation process, mycelium interfaces with the organic substrate of the knitted pouch, orchestrating a biofabrication process that enhances the structural integrity of the final composite. The resulting knitted blocks, influenced by mycelium, showcase notable resilience against tensile forces, positioning them as a promising and robust alternative in construction materials. This emerging synergy between mycology and textile engineering not only taps into mycelium’s inherent strength but also underscores its potential for environmentally friendly, biodegradable construction practices.

MY-CO Extrapolation- MY-CO Knit Sun Tiles

Mycelium-infused knitted sun tiles redefine sustainable construction by seamlessly blending tensile strength with natural illumination. The integration of mycelial enzymatic processes with the organic fibers of knitted pouches results in robust tiles that allow sunlight to filter through cracks, creating open enclosures. This innovative biofabrication process highlights the potential of mycology and textile engineering in crafting resilient, eco-friendly building materials with a unique interplay of strength and natural light.

Chapter 14: Cameron Shapiro, MYCO_LAB @ KSU, Focus Studio_Carroll Section, Fall 2023

MY-CO Extrapolation- MY-CO Knit Yarn Bomb

The integration of mycelium with yarn bombing represents a scientific advancement in the realm of urban ecology. This innovative amalgamation entails the incorporation of mycelial networks into the yarn structure, facilitating a durable and symbiotic association with host trees. Mechanistically, the mycelium functions as a bioadhesive, enzymatically breaking down the organic components of the yarn and subsequently assimilating the resultant nutrients. This intricate interplay contributes to the structural reinforcement of the yarn on tree surfaces while concurrently fostering a mutualistic relationship between the mycelium and the host tree. The mycelium’s enzymatic activity in metabolizing organic substrates from the yarn serves as a nuanced example of biomimicry, exemplifying the potential for sustainable artistic practices to synergize with natural ecosystems.

MY-CO Tile Design Process

In the creative evolution of the mycelium-mimicking tiles, our foremost aspiration was to replicate the intricate beauty of mycelial networks while eschewing their biological components. This innovative pursuit guided our strategic selection of yarn and backing materials, where each choice was calibrated to mirror the nuanced hues inherent in natural mycelial growth. The deliberate choice of four distinct yarn types not only catered to sustainable attributes, with considerations like biodegradability, but also mirrored the diversity found in the organic world.

The transformative role of the Santro knitting machine in this project cannot be overstated, serving as the linchpin in expediting our creative journey. Throughout the entire process, from the initial gathering of materials to the final interconnected masterpiece, the knitting machine acted as both facilitator and collaborator. Its efficiency in stretching yarn in various directions significantly contributed to the creation of the tiles, each displaying a unique tensioned pattern. This technological synergy allowed us to transcend traditional hand-knitting limitations, accelerating the project timeline without compromising the meticulous artistry we sought to achieve.

As the yarn was meticulously stretched in diverse directions, the Santro knitting machine played a pivotal role in translating our vision into reality. This mechanized precision ensured that, regardless of the tile’s orientation, a mesmerizing and ever-evolving shape emerged—a testament to the symbiotic relationship between technology and artistry. The sporadic connections between tiles, symbolic of mycelial growth, were seamlessly facilitated by the knitting machine, further highlighting its integral role in the project. In essence, the Santro knitting machine became an indispensable partner, propelling the project forward with efficiency and precision while preserving the artistic integrity of our mycelium-inspired creation.

Chapter 14: Cameron Shapiro, MYCO_LAB @ KSU, Focus Studio_Carroll Section, Fall 2023

MY-CO Tiles

Cameron Shapiro_ Reflection

MY-CO Knit

By amalgamating the organic essence of mushrooms with the sustainable artistry of knitting, Cameron embarked on a journey into holistic and eco-conscious construction methods.

This innovative fusion not only broadened her creative boundaries but also added a meaningful chapter to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable design and architecture. The lesson gleaned from this venture is that the intersection of nature-inspired creativity and eco-friendly practices can pave the way for transformative approaches in construction, reinforcing the idea that the synergy between organic materials and sustainable methods holds immense potential for shaping a more environmentally responsible and aesthetically compelling future.