Fragment 5: Materiality Mycelium Bricks Rammed Earth

FRAGMENT 5 M A T E R I A L I T Y & C O N S T R U C T I O N

“Now that we are coming to terms with the finality of earth’s resources, perhaps we should be reassessing what is ‘primitive’ and what is ‘advanced.”99 Alison Page

Materiality for architectural design, on this site, Munna Reserve, has geographical, political, historical, and cultural considerations. Materiality represents art, science and service in both Aboriginal culture and architectural design and is a response to and with the relationship between the environment, design and users. Through conversations with Aleisha (MLALC) on site, consideration of the resourcing and materiality was key when analysing the short and long term impacts to ecologies, macro and micro. Knowing the extremes in local climate, alongside learning about organisation of landscape and the abundance of natural resources currently available on site (or potentially on site), further research was undertaken to analyse and develop understanding of natural materials. This perspective focused on embodied energy, thermal capacity, sustainable use, connection to Country and participant experience.

For Aboriginal peoples, relationship with materiality is relationship with Country. Aboriginal culture and spirituality embraces all matter as living. Materials found on, with and in Country, are extensions of the body and were gifted from ancestors to be used, adapted, recycled and shared. These “..objects were traded along the Songlines hand to hand, Country to Country...”100 As materiality is one with all matter, it forms identity and must not be removed without permission.

Learning in this codesign space focused on mutual knowledge building between the community and I. Bridging technologies past with those in the present and future were conversational frames. Part of the process I valued throughout these discussions was the passive ‘interrogations’ to build knowledge and to question a western way of thinking around new innovations. That is, to look for evidence and action beyond the page of material that ‘tells’ of successes or benefits.

E X P L O R I N G M A T E R I A L I T Y

Honouring relationship with Country is central. Understanding the macro (urban), meso (building) and micro (materials) scales of this project, is essential in designing, constructing and delivering a building which considers impact for a sustainable future and aims for a circular economy. This process aims to challenge the processes and products which contribute to climate change, waste management, biodiversity loss and pollution.

M Y C E L I U M B R I C K S

Regenerative Tectonic Architecture

2014 saw the initial innovative and design thinking behind mushroom bricks as sustainable, regenerative architectural material for buildings and spaces. Architect David Benjamin, NY, from the firm The Living, was inspired by a manufacturing company, Ecovative, founded in developing practical and economic uses for the mushroom spore mycelium.101 Working closely with Arup, the bricks were developed and resulted in a structurally sound material to produce the Hy-Fy; an architectural installation that won MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program. (Figure 1)

Mycelium is the fibrous tissue (hyphae) of fungi and is the medium through which reciprocal relationships are formed with plant matter. Mycelium engages with other plants, underground and in exchange for sugars, shares other essential nutrients, via their root systems.102 By nature mycelium are social organisms, according to Doctor Suzanne Simarad, whose life work is focused on the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi. Simarad outlines in Exploring How and Why Trees Talk to Each Other, plant kinship, both in DNA and care given through mycelium, in order to heal and flourish. A correlation between the plant and human ecologies draws significance to creating experiences to nourish, amidst our current ecological threats. 103

Mycelium presents natural solutions that could replace conventional building materials such as brick, concrete, plastics, particle board and insulation, while being more efficient, more ecologically responsible and cost competitive.104 When harvested and mixed with a substrate the composite may be formed into bricks or panels, dried, and used as strong building material, as discussed in Emerging Materials: Mycelium Brick, by Ilvy Bonnefinn.105 The mycelium brick can be cultivated over a four week period, creating an efficient product in both the context of time and accessibility. Janet McGaw, Alex Andrionopoulos and Alessandro Liuti, in their research paper, Tangled Tales of Mycelium and Architecture: Learning From Failure, identify properties and additional uses of mycelium as a building alternative in bricks, panels, insulation and flooring.106 The report highlighted that in addition to being water, mould, fire and termite resistant, and a lighter mass than concrete, mycelium is also the most natural and ancient form of polymer. It shares properties similar to synthetic polymers without the toxicity and environmental impact.107 Therefore, Its binding capacity is an ideal eco-solution for adhesives. This material also exhibits an exceptional thermal mass and acoustic properties.

Figure 1.

As a completely organic substance mycelium building products harness a circular economy reducing embodied energy. This is particularly observable in the process from inception to end of life. Mushrooms /fungi may be grown on site, combined with crop waste (to act as a substrate) from the Mudgee community-grape mark, coffee grounds and other agricultural waste, such as lucerne, then moulded and dried on site through both passive and traditional drying methods, cast at approximately 90 degrees. This process reduces fossil fuel use and at end of life the product is 100% biodegradable and may be returned to the landscape, without any impact.

Whilst this innovation on materiality has been gaining momentum, there is opportunity for further experimentation in both material compositions and form, particularly as an authentic consideration for this project. To explore the process of cultivation, texture and properties, I undertook an experiment to grow mycelium to the end product of a brick. Information about the process of cultivation was provided by Russell Whittam, from Aussie Mushrooms.

A C T I O N R E S E A R C H

Cultivating a mycelium brick A visual map

To explore the process of cultivation, I undertook an experiment to grow mycelium to the end product of a brick.

Mycelium spores (Ganoderma Stayaertanum/Australian Reishi) + substrate (grape marc) + substrate (lucerne) + humidity + time = brick 1. Prepare mould and workspace by swabbing in alcohol and wear a mask to prevent contamination 2. Inoculate the substrate with mycelium. Mix thoroughly. 3. Pack the mycelium/substrate into a mould. Tighter packing will produce a smoother end product. 4. Place the mould into a plastic bag and seal. Mycelium requires oxygen to grow. Seal the bag and store between 20-24 degrees celsius , in a dark space. 5. Let it grow- approximately four weeks 6. Bake at 90 degrees celsius for 4 hours to stop the growth and cure the brick.

Mycelium spores Substrate: Grape marc Substrate: Lucerne Mycelium Brick

Cultivating Mycelium at 2 weeks Cultivating Mycelium at 3 weeks Cultivating Mycelium at 4 weeks after heat has been applied

Cultivating Mycelium at 4 weeks after heat has been applied

B E Y O N D T H E M U S H R O O M

Addressing Site Limitations & Opportunities with Mudgee Waste and Recycling Facility

One of the constraints of Munna Reserve, identified in the previous site analysis, is that it shares a boundary with the waste and recycling facility (the tip, as referred to by locals). This has proven, through my research, to be another opportunistic catalyst for regenerative design and an extension into healing Country.

“Mycoremediation is the process of harnessing fungi’s natural abilities to break down materials for a beneficial effect.”108 Landfill has a high concentration of COD ammonia and specific compounds, which are dependent on the age of the landfill. Fungi can be used to treat landfill and industrial waste water. It has a greater toxicity removal efficacy compared to traditional landfill treatment processes. “Pestalotiopsis fungi are capable of plastic decomposition in anaerobic conditions, making them an ideal candidate for use in landfills.”109

A study by Katharina Unger of Utrecht University, and outlined in “This Edible Mushroom From The Amazon Thrives By Eating Plastic,”110 by Andrea Steffern, discovered that Oyster mushrooms/ fungi are still edible throughout this plastic decomposition process, ensuring consumer’s wellbeing (human, flora and fauna) is not compromised. Unger claims, “that once the mushroom has eaten everything up, there is no plastic left in the mushroom, and it tastes “sweet with the smell of anise or licorice.”111 It was also noted that plastic-eating mushrooms remove pollutants from the soil and convert waste into biofuels.

There is great potential to grow the mushrooms/fungi at the waste management facility, regenerate soil to compost, purify waterways, whilst providing mycelium for the bricks, composting for the community and site, natural habitats112 for fauna and a natural organic food. The reciprocal relationship between sustainable construction and regeneration of Country within this project is enabled on multiple scales and emerges as a blueprint process for a circular economy and sustainable practice.

R A M M E D E A R T H

Rammed earth is a sustainable construction technique where varying proportions of earth, road base, sand, cement and crusher dust is pneumatically compacted into rigid form work in 200mm layers until the desired height is reached.113 Rammed earth presents a viable alternative to conventional high thermal mass wall construction such as concrete. The rammed earth is formed on site, using earth excavated for the buildings footings and slabs, reducing both embodied and operational energy of the design, therefore allowing for a lower carbon footprint. What is taken from Country for the physical architecture, is returned back through its construction.

As a non toxic material, it presents a safer option to its inhabitants and the broader environment and waterways, whilst also being 100% recyclable at its end of life. Rammed earth walls are constructed to load bearing tolerances (350-400mm) in required areas and can have greater compressive strength than concrete.114

Aesthetically, rammed earth creates a natural relationship to compliment the other materials used across the site and is malleable supporting the organic forms. Rammed earth walls allow for high thermal mass, absorbing heat and slowly releasing the heat energy over time; this process is known as thermal lag.115

The material also regulates humidity and exchanges air through the walls. Rammed earth has a high acoustic rating due to its density and the thickness of the walls ensures noise within and between spaces is reduced.116 Additionally, rammed earth is weather resistant and durable once built and sealed. Termites are unable to penetrate the rammed earth mass. It is also fireproof with CSIRO rating a 250mm thick wall as 4 hour fire resistant.117 Fire resistance is essential for this project given the site location and BAL rating.

timber formwork filled with layer of moist earth mix (earth, sand, recycled cement and gravel) earth layer compacted using pneumatic backfill tamper next layer is added and process is repeated additional layers of moist earth are added and compressed once dry, formwork is removed to reveal the rammed earth wall

S O L A R H A R V E S T I N G + G L A Z I N G C O N S I D E R A T I O N S

Solar Harvesting Glass

Glazing across the programs combines solar harvesting and bird safe glass innovations. The Ubiquitous engineered solar harvesting glass panels118 are coated in an organic material which harvests and selectively transmits visible light while absorbing and converting invisible ultraviolet and infrared light into electricity whilst maintaining the aesthetic of a traditional window- transparent.119 The coating “is similar to double and triple silver coated low-E coatings that have emissivity of only a few percent and solar factor/solar heat gain coefficient as low as 0.25, while simultaneously achieving power conversion efficiencies as high as 10%.”120 The panels work in conjunction with other solar panels across the schema to power lights as well air conditioning when needed. The panels are also made with non-toxic materials.121

Glazing considerations for bird life

Ornilux glass122 appears smooth and clear to the human eye but it possesses a unique, invisible characteristic that allows birds to see the obstacle in front of them and hopefully avoid a collision. The glass is glazed with a pattern that mimics a spider’s web and is made of an ultraviolet-reflective coating only visible to birds as they are capable of seeing a broader UV spectrum than humans.123 “Results showed that an overwhelming 76% of birds managed to recognise and avoid the glass laced with ultraviolet-reflective patterns.”124

Ultraviolet Light

Infrared Light

Ubiquitous Glass

Visible Light

Electricity

Ornilux Glass

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