Recycling: Mycology, Materials Science and Architecture Tsvetomila Duncheva November 2013
AR521: Interdisciplinary University of Kent
Abstract My Interdisciplinary project is based on the development of a fungal building material, which would be produced from natural renewable resources and building site waste. To achieve this I have studied various patents and production methods by Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre at Ecovative (including tests of their samples), and artist Phil Ross’ Mycotecture Project. In addition I have conducted various experiments to determine a manufacturing process and test different growth methods. As a brief overview, the material is made from wood-chips, placed in a mold, and left for mycelium to grow from until colonisation binds the wood-chips and the material has a white spongy surface. The material is then dehydrated until moisture content falls bellow 30% and treated with beeswax. The future of this project would be a series of tests and experiments with one aim: to propose a new material with low environmental impact, which in its manufacture process would recycle buildings site waste. Crucial for this material would be the choice of substrate and fungal species. I want to explore the use of straw-bale as a substrate for growing Genoderma lucidum, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, Stropharia rugosa-annulata and/or Hipsigus ulmaria to produce building materials. I propose the materials application in parasitic architecture through an architectural design, and analyse the its suitability for humanitarian relief architecture aimed at the urban poor of informal Roma settlements in Europe.
Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to Tobias van der Haar from the School of Bioscience, University of Kent for his invaluable assistance when conducting the mycological experiments described in this paper, and his great willingness to help me with the development of the project after my BA graduation. This project could not have been possible without the guidance of artist Phil Ross, who ever so kindly provided me with all the knowledge on growing fungi he has. The work on mycological materials of Dr Eduardo Gonzales gave me a precious insight on the structure of mycological materials. Of course, PDQ\ WKDQNV JR WR +RZDUG *ULIÀQ ZKR ZDV my tutor for AR521: Disciplinary for his support when I was in doubt and his efforts to push my research further. Also, I greatly appreciate the advice of Dr Henrik Schoenefeldt, Dr Richard Watkins and Carolina Vasilikou from Kent School of Architecture who helped me with brainstorming sessions on the properties and applications of mycological materials and provided me with suggestions on research methods. I remember the enormous encouragement of Andrew Tull, my tutor for AR533: Urban whose supported all of my wacky development ideas with sound advice. Karen Martin’s help with academic style of writing improved the quality of the applications section of this paper immensely, DQG JDYH PH FRQÀGHQFH WR FRQWLQXH P\ research. The experience I did with her and Dr Marialena Nikolopoulou helped me appreciate the rigour and systematic approach needed for any research and experimentation. I cannot forget the enthusiastic reaction of Dr Cristian Suau and Carmelo Zappulla to my short presentation on mycological materials at the Welsh School of Architecture. Thank you to Stephen from (FRYDWLYH IRU PRWLYDWLQJ WR ÀQG WKHLU SDWHQWV on my own with his decline to my request for information. And last but not least, to Gavin McIntyre for his friendly attitude when discussing a potential future collaboration with Ecovative.
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Contents 1. Introduction 2. Essence of Mycelium 3. Ecovative Insulation 4. Phil Ross Bricks 5. Experiments and Proposal 6. Parasitic Architecture 7. Application 6.1.1. Hypothesis 6.1.2. Literature Review 6.1.3. Methodology Endnotes Bibliography Images Videos of Experiments Appendices Appendix1. Correspondence with Phil Ross Appendix2. Correspondence with Ecovative Appendix3. Ecovative Data Sheet Appendix4. Ecovative Patent Study US2012/0270302 A1 Appendix5. Ecovative Patent Study US20120227899 A1 Appendix6. Ecovative Material Details Appendix7. Phil Ross Reasoning. Appendix8. Phil Ross Study of Mycelium Brick Arch Appendix9. Experiment No.1 Growth in Domestic Conditions Appendix10. Experiment No.2 Petri Dishes Appendix11. Experiment No.3 Jars with Woodchips Appendix12. Experiment No.4 Microscopic Observations Appendix13. Lichen Field ,GHQWLĂ€FDWLRQ DQG 2EVHUYDWLRQV Appendix14. Fungi Field ,GHQWLĂ€FDWLRQ Appendix15. Comparative Study of Fungal Species Appendix16. Glossary Notes
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1. Introduction The world can be perceived as a series of connections on all levels and scales: from the forces between celestial bodies to the constant orbit of electrons around a proton in an atom (1). There are numerous interdependencies in our own planet which maintain a delicate HTXLOLEULXP LQ QDWXUH DQG HQVXUH OLIH FDQ à RXULVK as majestically as it does. Out of all the organisms WKHUH LV D VSHFLÀF W\SH ZKRVH VROH SXUSRVH LV precisely to establish connections and spread nutrients, thus infusing the soil with the power to VXVWDLQ DOO WKH PDJQLÀFHQW à RUD DQG IDXQD 7KLV highly complicated ubiquitous web is called mycelium, in essence a mass of fungal hyphae (2). The aim of my project is to propose a scheme which would utilize the properties of mycelium as nature’s recycling and life-spreading entity to transform construction and demolition site waste into a natural building material. This would allow for existing and future buildings to be converted from threats to the natural world, to an integral part of it. To demonstrate my ideas I will produce mycelium prototype materials in different forms, analyse their properties and discuss their commercial applications and manufacture process. As support I will use data gathered during a lengthy research stage, which I will outline in this essay, arranged according to author and relevance of the separate ideas to my proposal.
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destroy timber structures, and dismantle munitions LQ ROG PLQH ÀHOGV 3OHDVH UHIHU WR $SSHQGL[ for a study of relevant fungal species, mycelium properties and growing conditions. In addition to their outlined uses, Fungi are impressive because of their immense diversity and ability to survive in the most harsh of conditions. From these I was inspired WR FRQVWUXFW D ZD\ WR WXUQ GLIÀFXOWO\ GHJUDGDEOH currently non-recyclable building materials into new, fungal-based natural ones. A fascinating project with a similar emphasis on fungi’s natural capacities to degrade matter, only in this instance RUJDQLF LV WKH ,QÀQLW\ %XULDO 3URMHFW E\ -DH 5KLP /HH started in 2009. Its concept of decomposture can be summarised in the immortal quote : ... when we die our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass, and so we are all connected In the great circle of life. Mufasa. The Lion King. (1994). Another intriguing, much more architectural project is the Lichen Concrete developed in Barcelona by Sandra Manso for a Doctorate’s thesis. This patent utilises lichen’s ability to grow on concrete and thus creates a structural concrete green-wall of three layers, designed for a Mediterranean climate.
2. Essence of Mycelium Fungi are believed to be our closest ancestor in terms of evolutions, with the branches of kingdoms Fungi and Animals dividing about 650 million years ago (3) $FFRUGLQJ WR VFLHQWLĂ€F DVVXPSWLRQV WKH\ KDYH VXUYLYHG WKH Ă€UVW PDMRU FDWDVWURSKH of 250 million years ago (between the Permian and Triassic periods), as well as the second 65 million years after, which marked the extinction of dinosaurs (4). From the mists of natural disaster and mass extinction, these creatures weaved their way through the decaying matter and eventually formed the vast network of incomprehensible to us complexity which allowed for plants to evolve. Flora began to feed off the nutrients the mycelium transferred throughout the Earth’s crust as it grew. What is so different about mycelium is that it reacts with other materials on a molecular level (5), therefore it doesn’t evolve ‘on’ rocks, or ‘on’ trees, but through them, piercing their cells ZLWK LWV Ă€QH ZHE RI RXWVWDQGLQJ GHQVLW\ RI PLOHV cubic inch (6). One man who understands and is truly fascinated by this living organism is Paul Stamets, the leading mycologist of today and author of Mycelium Running (2005). In his book he suggests various ways that mushrooms can ‘help save the world’. Although perhaps too optimistic, the statements he makes are argued with data from experiments conducted during a life solely devoted to fungi. According to his knowledge and research, mushroom species can be used in almost any aspect of life, but those that grabbed my attention were their abilities to restore wildlife habitats, clear toxic waste sites, intentionally
Image 1. Lichen concrete facade visualisation
3. Ecovative Insulation A more practical enterprise which focuses on new fungal materials is Ecovative, established in the United States by the young scientists Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre. Their initiative is highly market-orientated and provides the public with D ODUJH YDULHW\ RI VXVWDLQDEOH P\FHOLXP ÀEUH products. The research and production of their products are executed in a highly controlled laboratory environment, where humidity, temperature, purity of air /not contaminated with fungal spores/ can be regulated at ease. In the process, they make use of local raw biological waste to feed the bio-engineered mycelia and to produce packaging, automobile foam replacement materials and others, shaped to
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
unique consumer needs. From our correspondence (refer to Appendix 2) I was left with the impression that they are highly protective of their progress, with a great emphasis put on ‘company secrets’, something which is natural to any innovative business enterprise. The developed dehydrated mycelium insulating materials indeed praise great TXDOLWLHV VXFK DV Ă€UH UHVLVWDQFH ZLWKRXW DGGHG chemicals, improved energy dissipation, a closed loop life-cycle due to the materials being 100% biodegradable, ‘very good’ acoustic performance (7) $OO RI WKHVH DUH IRFDO IRU HIĂ€FLHQW VXVWDLQDEOH insulation. I performed various tests with samples of the Ecovative products, the results of which proved to fall within the later obtained via e-mail Material Properties Data Sheet (refer to Appendix 3). A full analysis with sample experiments can be found in Appendix 5, as well as in images 7-10. Curiously, there have been no publications regarding the (FRYDWLYH PDWHULDO LQ VFLHQWLĂ€F MRXUQDOV DQG WKH material has not been released on the market as a building insulator (8). The reasons for this I suppose are health and safety regulations, rigorous testing for human allergic reactions, effect on indoor air quality, humidity protection to prevent rehydration, reaction of pets. A major drawback would be that all of the aforementioned focal points cannot be tested in the long-term without immensely delaying the product’s release date. However, this is valid a statement for any new material in history, a current H[DPSOH LV WKH ZLGHO\ XVHG Ă€EUHJODVV LQVXODWLRQ which causes severe inhalation problems (9).
emissions released by the facility, the origin of the materials that comprise the machinery themselves, etc. The future of aim of Ecovative is to develop structural mycological materials.
4. Phil Ross Bricks Although Ecovative have proposed a patentawaiting scheme for SIP panel construction, Phil Ross, a US-based artist, takes the concept of structural fungal building material much further in his Mycotecture project (10). Having explored the possible application and engineering properties of mycelium as a furniture material (11), he has recently triumphantly grown and constructed a self-supporting arch. This is how Ross, P (2012) summarises the process in a Reasoning (12): ...These artworks were created by infusing live fungal cells into a pulverized cellulose based medium (sawdust). The cellulose serves as both food and framework for the organism to grow on, and in about a week WKLV DJJUHJDWH VROLGLĂ€HV DV D UHVXOW of the fungi’s natural tendency to join together smaller pieces of its tissue into a larger constituent whole. This project uses Reishi fungus Genoderma Lucidum because of the wide availability of the species for medical use, the fact that it is harmless to humans, its relatively easy cultivation, and its properties as a tough yet lightweight material when dehydrated. Designed to be exhibited in a museum in DĂźsseldorf, Germany, the structure constitutes a ‘tea house’ made of over 400 mycelium bricks. These are of standard brick size, grown into moulds and then left to dry at higher temperature. The whole process, which can be observed in Appendix 7, spanned over a period of four weeks (13). According to his report, the fungal bricks performed poorly under linear forces (snapped)(14), but showed great dynamic resistance when struck with a blunt force.
Image 2. Ecovative SIP panel prototype
Albeit the Ecovative products are slightly P\VWLÀHG DQG œJUHHQLÀHG¡ WKH SDWHQWV IRU WKHVH newly proposed products , and descriptions in Connexion (the world’s largest innovative material database and collection), have given me great insight into the technical, precise aspect of their manufacture process. Along with an understanding of the real-life production cycle, these have provided me with guidelines for my own scheme. I also perceived new aspects that need to be considered, such as the provision of controlled environments and whether this can be avoided through a more natural, less bio-engineered approach. The latter is important due to the fact WKDW WKH VSHFLDOL]HG VFLHQWLÀF HTXLSPHQW UDLVHV questions of the true sustainability, such as CO2
Image 3. Phil Ross: Mycelium furniture experiment
6Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
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Image 5. Phil Ross: Mycelium brick sample
Image 4. Phil Ross: Mycelium arch in DĂźsseldorf. 2009
The structure of the bricks, as he describes it, is VSRQJH OLNH ZLWK GHQVLW\ LQFUHDVLQJ VLJQLÀFDQWO\ towards the periphery of the prisms. Surprisingly, WKH\ DUH DOVR YHU\ GLIÀFXOW WR VKDSH DQG FXW RQFH GU\ GHVWUR\LQJ ÀOHV DQG VDZV (15).
5. Experiments and Proposal To test these and my own theories on recycling problematic concrete building site waste, I conducted four experiments with an aim to produce and examine personal samples $SSHQGLFHV 7R VXPPDULVH WKH ÀUVW RQH whose purpose was to demonstrate that fungus can be grown in everyday conditions, was colonised by the common household mold in 7 days, with a grim outcome. The second and third experiments were conducted in the school of Biosciences to prevent contamination, but the obtained conifer ZRRG FKLSV SUHYHQWHG WKH JURZWK RI WKH VSHFLÀF Genoderma Lucidum fungus (16). However, the rye grains proved to be a highly suitable medium, as the microscopic observations demonstrated the mycelium was identical to the one growing from the laboratory agar. Personally, I was struck by the FRPSOH[LW\ RI WKH ÀQH ZKLWH ZHE VWUXFWXUH ZKHQ , distinguished the individual hyphae (17). When the material was observed at 8.0+ magnitude settings each slight change in the focus settings revealed a new layer of interconnections. On comparison of the alive mycelium web to the dehydrated sample, the resemblance lead me to conclude that the properties of the insulation/building material are derived from the binding strength of the mycelium and the substrate. 7KH VSHFLÀFV RI WKH PDWHULDO ZRXOG WKHUHIRUH depend on the substrate materials (the mycelia properties are a determined constant according to species), and the density to which the mycelia are left to colonise the mixture. If the substrate is constituted from easily bended elements, such as replacing wood-chips with branches, the fungal material would have a greater bending moment than the wood-chip sample. Analogically, thermal mass properties, for example those of concrete, would also be transmitted onto the dehydrated fungal building material if pulverised concrete is
part of the substrate. This would allow for purposeVSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F YDULHWLHV WR EH SURGXFHG IRU GLIIHUHQW XVHV LQ EXLOGLQJV ² ZHDWKHU LW ZRXOG EH Ă&#x20AC;UH UHVLVWDQFH insulation, structure, decoration, sound absorption, exterior application, etc. However, the issue of sterile conditions and the emitted CO2 emissions to achieve them, the sourcing of substrate materials and their adequate preparation and storage still question the true sustainability of this natural material. As a possible solution, I propose that mycology is combined with straw-bale techniques. Straw is a perfect medium for growing most of the fungal species, as described in detail by Stamets, Paul (2005) p.191, even in unsterilised, natural (full of thousands of enemy-spores) surroundings. The two fungal species naturally occurring in straw and utilised in strawbale gardening, Stropharia rugosa-annulata and Hypsigus ulmaria, could be used for inoculation via spore injection, or granulated spores (18). If this method is developed for use in the manufacture process of the fungal material, its embodied CO2 emissions would decrease greatly, and more importantly, it would be made much more widely available. In addition, if pulverized concrete is added to the mixture, it may not need to be sterilized prior to being added to the substrate, and would be absorbed by the mycelia in a natural way. A fully developed production method, a range of material varieties, and hopefully an overall negative carbon footprint would be the ultimate outcomes of this project: a new material, consisting of countryside and urban waste material, binded by the power of nature. Theoretically, an economic niche for such a material is already evident â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the eco movement is LQWHJUDWHG LQ RXU HYHU\GD\ OLYHV DQG LV RI VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F interest to architects, politicians and lawyers around the world. In terms of details and moisture issues, further research is needed, but a variety of dampproof membranes exist on the market. A potential risk that needs to be researched and resolved is the event of reactivated fungal growth and the development of fruiting bodies once put in a building. At the moment the assumption employed for the commercial mycelium products is that if they are dehydrated to a moisture content <30%, the hyphae become entirely inactive and the growth process cannot be triggered again (Appendix 4).
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Image 6. Mycelium structure explained. Duncheva.
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
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Image 7. Microscopic photographs of petri dish experiment containing 1g Genoderma Lucidum spores, 5 g concrete and laboratory cellulose substrate. Unfortunately, this sample, despite sterilisation at 160 degrees celsium, was contaminated by Stachybotrys Chartarum. These images show the infected fungus at
zooms 1.6, 5.0, 15.0 using Leica 10446261 0.63x. What becomes clear from then is that the dark colour of the contamination is due to the numerous fungal mold spores in dark colour, awaiting to be released in the environment. Duncheva.
Image 8. Microscopic photographs the sample obtained from Ecovative, taken at zooms 0.8, 3.2, 5.0 using Leica 10446261 0.63x. What becomes evident is the structure of the material, the wood-chips are clearly visible in the Ă&#x20AC;UVW LPDJH WKH ZHEV VWUXFWXUH RI WKH ELQGLQJ P\FHOLXP
becomes more clear in the second, and is the focus of WKH WKLUG LPDJH (DFK Ă&#x20AC;QH VWULQJ FRQWDLQV QXPHURXV FHOOV arranged in a tight microscopic web, with hyphae at their ends. Hyphae are the cells that split to develop new strings of cells. Duncheva.
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Image 9. Insulation properties, showing the density of the Ecovative sample and a comparison to other natural insulation materials. Duncheva.
Image 10. A selection of the performed tests with Ecovative samples and summarised outcomes. Duncheva.
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Image 11. Presentation cases produced for AR521:Interdisciplinary. Each measures 600/1800 mm.
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These are currently on display by the entrance of the new award-winning crit space of KSA. Duncheva.
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
6. Parasitic Architecture â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Parasitic architecture can be GHĂ&#x20AC;QHG DV DQ DGDSWDEOH WUDQVLHQW and exploitive form of architecture that forces relationships with host buildings in order to complete themselves. Parasites cannot sustain their own existence without siphoning energy from the surplus supply demonstrated in host buildings.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Taylor, 2006)
Image 12. Perspective of the proposed parasitic hip-hop centre, looking southward. Cardboard, wood and metal
wire model. Scale 1:250. Viewpoint: Most Northern point. Post-edited in Adobe Photoshop. Duncheva.
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Image 13. Explanation, diagram and conceptual perspective of the parasitic hip-hop centre produced for
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AR533: Urban as an architectural design accompaniment to my mycological materials research. The idea was
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
directly derived from the parasitic character of fungi. The perspective captures the street given to the youth to
practice street sports, which are usually prohibited in cities. A proclamation of freedom of movement. Duncheva.
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Image 14. The most complex parasitic structure is explained here. The structure self-supporting, constructed
from a timber frame and Ecovative insulation. It is environmentally orientated. Duncheva.
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7. Applications 7.1. Hypothesis I want to apply my mycological research in a prototype shelter for the urban poor of Europe, in particular for the inhabitants of informal Roma settlements in Bulgaria. Adequate shelter is a basic human right according to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN, 1948). Despite international policies aimed at urban slum abolition very little has practically been done for the Roma of Europe (Bulgaria, 2012; Council of Europe, 2012; Amnesty, 2013). My determination to improve the Romani peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives is derived from my personal observations of their systematic discrimination. I want to design and prototype an DIIRUGDEOH HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW DQG FRPIRUWDEOH VKHOWHU IRU WKH Romani people, with an aim to end their constant IRUFHG HYLFWLRQV 7R P\ NQRZOHGJH WKLV VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F problem has not yet been analysed in a robust academic environment. My hypothesis is that the problem can be resolved through a participatory approach and with the application of innovative mycological building materials. Their composition RI SXOYHULVHG EXLOGLQJ VLWH ZDVWH Ă&#x20AC;UPO\ HQWDQJOHG LQ D Ă&#x20AC;QH P\FHOLXP ZHE JURZQ IURP D FHOOXORVH substrate makes them ideal for this purpose.
7.2. Literature Review 3RRU LQIRUPDO VHWWOHPHQWV ZHUH Ă&#x20AC;UVW DGGUHVVHG in international legislation as an obstacle to sustainable urbanisation during the Habitat I United Nations conference on human settlements (1976, Vancouver). The escalation of the problem is conspicuous in the Habitat II conference (1996, Istanbul) during which the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements and the Habitat Agenda Adequate Shelter for All and Sustainable Human Settlements were signed by 171 countries, including Bulgaria. I intend to study the reports of these and other international conferences, e.g. the more
Image 15. Slum Population by region. 1990-2020. Thousands. Source: Produced by UN-Habitat based data.
recent World Urban Forum III (2006, Vancouver), as a basis of the proposed application of my research. I will also analyse through comparison the main humanitarian architectural precedents implemented as a reaction to these documents, mainly executed by NGOs Article 25, Architecture for Humanity and the Shelter Centre which collaborates with the University of Cambridge. 6SHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ , DP LQWHUHVWHG LQ (PLO\ /R *LEVRQ¡V E-Luma project, the work of Sandra Drummond on upgrading slums through participatory approach programmes and of Kenya Acharaya who at WUF III stresses the importance of appropriate materials for construction (Grundstroem and Jere,2006). Of importance will be the publications of Dr Filipe Hernandez on informal settlements in Latin America which share many qualities with the Roma urban areas of Europe. I will then focus on EU and national legislation texts on the integration of the Romani people in society. The National Roma Integration Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the accompanying Action Plan (Bulgaria, 2012) hold focal data collected through surveys and state the strategies of the (past) government to resolve the Roma problem. These goals expressed will be compared to the achievements of the European Decade of Roma Integration (UN, 2011), the National Council for Cooperation on Ethic and Integration Issues and the Bulgarian Red Cross. Reportedly 50-70% of the Roma population live in illegal settlements and are the victims of a closed loop of violent forced evictions (UN 2011, para. 46). This forces the mass unemployed Romani people to survive in marginal unsanitary living conditions. Having witnessed their struggles and conversed with them about their daily IHDUV , DP FRPPLWWHG WR Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ DQ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW VROXWLRQ for this particular eviction problem. The third part of my literature review will constitute of architectural theories and practical precedents. The main reason for slum formation according to (Jacobs, 1961) is their inhabitantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; constant
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent strive to leave. However, in the Roma case the aforementioned inhumane forced evictions cause constant relocation to worse habitats and prevent the Romani peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s access to education, healthcare, public and social services (Bulgaria, 2012). According to (EU FRA and UNDP 2012: 23) seventy seven percent of the Roma surveyed in Bulgaria lacked one of the following basic housing amenities: indoor kitchen; indoor toilet; indoor shower or bath; or electricity. To solve this I will SURSRVH DQ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW DQG FRPIRUWDEOH VKHOWHU the design of which will take under consideration the Roma way of life (Le Bas and Acton, 2010) and recent strategies for social sustainability (Nikolopoulou, 2012-2015). I am familiar with the notion of comfort as an abstract characteristic of the home as explored in (Rybczynski, 1968), as well as with the basics of environmental comfort depicted in (Burrbery, 1997). Precedents in the area of emergency shelters and lightweight construction (Serrats, 2010) are another sub-topic of importance.
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7.3. Methodology I envisage the design of the shelter as a process RI PHWLFXORXV UHĂ&#x20AC;QHPHQW ,W ZLOO WDNH WKH IRUP RI D standard architectural design project from concept WR SURWRW\SH 0\ DLP IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SKDVH ZLOO EH WR FRQGXFW WKH OLWHUDWXUH UHYLHZ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOLVH D UHĂ&#x20AC;QHG GHVLJQ IRU WKH VKHOWHU EDVHG RQ P\ Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJV ,Q the second phase will constitute of prototyping, parallel to devising a precise strategy for the implementation of the shelters in collaboration with the local government and NGOs. Thus the Ă&#x20AC;QDO RXWFRPH RI P\ DSSOLHG UHVHDUFK ZLOO EH D IXOO\ prototyped shelter. When ready for exploitation, the shelter will be distributed among Roma settlements with the approval of local authorities. I hope to thus set in motion the gradual improvement of the Roma neighbourhoods, leading to their integration in the urban system.
Image 16. Example of Roma discrimination. Note some of the better, brick Roma houses in the background. Image 18. Initial proposal for a dwelling with one/two bedrooms. Plans. reGenerate Boston. Duncheva.
,PDJH ([DPSOH RI VRFLDO KRXVLQJ IRU WKH 5RPD LQ 6RĂ&#x20AC;D Note the Horse in the foreground, which probably resides in the communal corridor space.
Image 19. Section through communal spaces of the initial proposal with highlighted environmental factors. reGenerate Boston. Duncheva.
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Image 20. Exploded axonometric of the initial dwelling proposal with affordability factors highlighted.
Simultaneously with the design process, I will conduct experiments in an available biological laboratory on the mycological materials to be used for the construction of the shelter. The composition of the discussed materials allows them to be HQJLQHHUHG DQG SURGXFHG SXUSRVH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ with an optimum relative quantity of building site waste : mycelium web : cellulose substrate. The fungal species I have chosen for experiments are Pleurotus ostreatus, Coprinus comatus and Stropharia rugoso-annulata. My choice is based on their abilities to grow naturally from compost, rapid spawn run of 8-28 days, and the available information from research and industry on their growth, qualities and applications (Stamets, 1983; 1993; 2005; Bayer and McIntyre). These systematic H[SHULPHQWV FRQGXFWHG GXULQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SKDVH of my applied research, will lead in the second SKDVH WR WKH SURGXFWLRQ RI D Ă&#x20AC;QDO PDWHULDO IRU WKH shelter prototype which will have three variations: VWUXFWXUDO LQVXODWLRQ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QLVK The predicted possible dangers are numerous, EXW , DP FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW WKH\ FDQ EH RYHUFRPH )LUVWO\ I will have to conduct the copious literature review with rigour to avoid time wastefulness. The cooperation of both the Roma population and the ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW FRXOG SXW WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO VXFFHVV RI the project at risk, thus these will be on the agenda from the outset. Importantly, I will have to consider the requirements and desires of the Romani people and become familiar with their culture (Art Digital Studio, 2013). I will also have to balance my time between shelter design and mycological materials production. If my attempts to produce a satisfactory material are not successful, I could employ the commercial mycological materials company Ecovative for the purpose, or resort to appropriate conventional building materials for initial prototypes. On the other hand, the major advantage of my proposal are my Bulgarian origin
and detailed understanding of the problem which cannot be obtained from survey data alone. In addition, I would be happy to collaborate with LQWHUHVWHG DFDGHPLFV WR DFKLHYH EHWWHU Ă&#x20AC;QDO UHVXOWV I realize this proposal for application could be subject to amendments and improvements during the progress of the applied research.
8. Conclusion To summarise, applying natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;own recycling systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to reuse the waste of our habitats, especially the problematic concrete buildings, I EHOLHYH WR EH D SURVSHFW IRU WKH IXWXUH 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW steps in the development of such a system have already been made, with products reaching the free market. The full potential of the material is still to be grasped, students around the world are already exploring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possibilities in a creative VFLHQWLĂ&#x20AC;F ZD\ 0\ SURSRVHG DSSOLFDWLRQ WR SURYLGH DIIRUGDEOH HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW DQG FRPIRUWDEOH KRXVLQJ IRU the Romani of Europe would greatly contribute to improving their lives. It would be an integral part of international legislation which proclaims the right to shelter as a basic human right. I hope to be given the opportunity to develop these ideas further in a robust academic environment, and afterwards collaborate with humanitarian relief organisations implicate them.
Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent
Endnotes: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)
Eames. (1977). Powers of Ten. mycelium(pl. mycelia): the network or mass of discrete hyphae that forms the body (thallus) of a fungus. (Cammack,R. 2012.) University of California Berkley.(2012). Biology Lecture 1B: Fungi. 20:00 Stamets. (2005). P.3 This is because instead of forming an outer layer we know as skin, or epidermis, fungi took another route in evolution to retain nutrients, forming a web structure. Alexopoulos. (1996) Stamets. (2005). Ecovative (2012). Ecovative website/ applications http:// www.ecovativedesign.com/applications/ automotive/ Ecovative website/ building materials http://www.ecovativedesign.com/ applications/building-products/ Yves. (2010). Mycotecture. (2009). Phil Ross. http://phil ross.org/projects/mycotecture/#projects/ mycotecture/ Workshop. (2009). Phil Ross. http://philross. org/projects/mycotecture/#2012/10/01/ the-workshop-residence/ This document was obtained on November 30th 2012 via e-mai. Ross, P. (2012) Ross, P. (2012) p.3 Ross, P. (2012) p.3 This is partially due to the fact that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to laboratories when he started off as a fungus enthusiast. Sterry, Paul. (2009) Hyoha, Hyohae: The individual fungal cells. Stamets, Paul (2005) p.306
Bibliography Key texts: Stamets, Paul. (2005). Mycelium Running. New York: Ten Speed Press. Stamets, Paul. (1983). The Mushroom Cultivator. Olympia: Agarikon Press. Watkinson, Sarah. (1995). The Fungi. London: Academic Press. Ainsworth, G. Bisby, G. Hawksworth, D. (1996). Dictionary of the Fungi. 8th Edition. Wallingford : CAB International. Steele, James. (2005). Ecological Architecture: A critical History.London: Thames and Hudson. Alexopolous, C. Wims, C. Blackwell, M. (1996). Introductory Mycology.4th Edition. New York: Wiley. Woolley, Tom. (2008). Natural Building. Ramsbury: The Crowood Press Ltd Sterry, Paul and Hughes, Paul. (2009). Colllins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and
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Toadstools. Baydon: D&N Publishing. Gonzales, W. (2010). Growing Architecture through Mycelium and Architectural Waste. GSSAP: Columbia University. Bayer, E and McIntyre, G. Method for producing rapidly renewable chitinous material using fungal fruiting bodies and product made thereby. US Patent US20090307969 A1. Bayer, E and McIntyre, G. Method of producing a chitinous polymer derived from fungal mycelium. US Petent US20120227899 A1. Bayer, E and McIntyre, G. Method for making dehydrated mycelium elements and product made thereby. US Patent US20120270302 A1. Callister, W and Rethwisch, D (2011). Materials Science and Enginering. Asia: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Berge, Borne. (2003). The Ecology of Building Materials. Oxford: Architectural Press. Callister, William Jr. (1997). Materials Science and Engineering: an Introduction. Canada: John Wiley and Sons Everett, Alan. (1994). Materials. 5th Edition. Edinburgh Gate: Pearson Education Ltd. Anderson, Jane. (2009). The Green Guide WR 6SHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ 2[IRUG 2[IRUG %URRNHV University Press. Beylerian, George M. (2005). Material Connexion. London: Thames and Hudson. United Nations (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Geneva: UN. United Nations (1996). Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II). Istanbul: UN. United Nations (2011). Report of the Independent Expert on Minority Issues: Mission to Bulgaria. A/HRC/19/56/Add.2. UNEP (2006). Global Water Resources. Report. Council of Europe (2007). Second Report Submitted by Bulgaria Pursuant to Aticle 25, Paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Strasburg: Council of Europe. Immigration and refugee Board of Canada (2012). Bulgaria: Situation of Roma, including access to employment, housing, health care, and education; state efforts to improve the conditions of Roma (2009-September 2012). BGR104200.E. European Union (EU) Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP)(2012). The Situation of Roma in 11 EU Member States. Survey Results at a Glance. Amnesty International (2013). End Forced Evictions of Roma in Europe. London. Bulgaria (2012). National Roma Integration Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria (20122020). Bulgaria (2012). Action Plan for Implementation of National Roma Integration Strategy of
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Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:521 Interdisciplinary I University of Kent man Immune System. TEDMED talks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXH DoROh2hA Eben Bayer. (2010). Are Mushrooms the New Plastic. TED talks. http://www.ted.com/talks/eben_ bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic. html Jae Rhim Lee. (2011). My Mushroom Burial Suit. TED talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/jae_rhim_ lee.html Tobias Revell. (2012). New Mumbai. http://vimeo. com/44168415 The Ecomist.(2012). Material Connexion Library. http://www.economist.com/ blogs/babbage/2012/07/library-new-mate rials?bclid=0&bctid=1730885096001 Discovery Channel. (2012). Future Tech. Material Connexion. http://www.discovery.ca/Arti cle.aspx?aid=35017 Tamar Haspel. (2011). How to Grow Shiitake Mushrooms at Home. http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=2369npAmYJo Steven Maxwell. (2011).Mepkin Abbey Mushroom Production by Cistercian Monks. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=2369npAmY Jo Terence McKenna. (unknown). Mushrooms from Outer Space http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=AIMPX5aGCu8&fea ture=player_embedded#! Disney MGM Studios. (1994). The Lion King. Directed by Allers, R. and Minkoff, R. 00:09:35.
Sources used for the speacies comparison table: Stamets, Paul. (1983). The Mushroom Cultivator. Olympia: Agarikon Press. Kuo, M. (2013) .The Mushroom Expert. http://www. mushroomexpert.com/ [Accessed 22/11/2013] Various. (2013). Mushroom Cultivation. Shroomery Forum. http://www.shroomery.org/forums/ postlist.php/Board/2 [Accessed 22/11/2013]
Images Image 1. Science Daily. Accessed 05/03/2013 http://images.sciencedaily.com/ 2012/12/121220080310-large.jpg Image 2. Ecovative. Accessed 05/03/2013 http://www.ecovativedesign.com/ Image 3. and 4. Ross, P. (2010). Mycotecture. http:// philross.org/projects/mycotecture/ [Accessed 05/02/2013] Images 6-10. Duncheva. 06/03/2013. Images 11-14. Duncheva. 20/11/2013. Image 15. UNEP (2006). Images 16, 17. Valsodar. (2009). About the ‘cigani’ and the Bulgarians. Accessed 20/10/2013 http://valsodar.blog.bg/lichni-dnevnici/ 2009/09/08/za-ciganite-i-bylgarite.393678 Images 18-20. Duncheva. 19/10/2013. Appendices: Image 4.1. Bayer, E and McIntyre, G. Method for making dehydrated mycelium elements
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and product made thereby. US Patent US20120270302 A1. Images 5.1. - 5.7. Bayer, E and McIntyre, G. Method of producing a chitinous polymer derived from fungal mycelium. US Petent US20120227899 A1. Images 6.1. and 6.2. Gonzales, W. (2010). Growing Architecture through Mycelium and Architectural Waste. GSSAP: Columbia University. Images 8.1. - 8.12. Ross, P. (2010). Building Mycotecture. http://philross.org/projects/ mycotecture/building-mycotecture/ #projects/mycotecture/buildingmycotecture/ [Accessed 05/03/2013] Imgaes in Apendices 9 and 10: Duncheva. 05/03/2012 ,PDJHV 'XQFKHYD 'DWH VSHFLÀHG LQ appendix. Image 13.6. Irish Lichens. www.irishlichens.ie/pageslichen/l-154.html Image 13.7. Images of British Lichens. www.lichens. lastdragon.org/Evernia_prunastri.html Image 13.8. Irish Lichens. www.irishlichens.ie/pageslichen/l-333.html ,PDJHV 'XQFKHYD 'DWH VSHFLÀHG LQ appendix. ,PDJHV 'XQFKHYD 'DWH VSHFLÀHG LQ appendices. Apart from: Images 14. 4., 14.7., 14.11., 14.15., 14.19., 14.24., 14.29., 14.34., 14.39., 14.44. Sterry, Paul and Hughes, Paul. (2009). Colllins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools. Baydon: D&N Publishing. Images from Appendix 15: Genoderma lucidum. Lingzhy mushroom. http:// upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/com mons/8/81/Ganoderma_lucidum_01.jpg Pleurotus citrinopileatus. Chatama’s home. http:// upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/com mons/c/c2/Pleurotus_citrinopileatus_in_ Chatama’s_home.jpg Stropharia rugosa-annulata. Lelie’s land. http://les lieland.com/wp-contentuloads/2009/05/1stropharia-rugoso-annulata-92760042-2.jpg Pleurotus ostreatus. Mikoweb. http://www. mykoweb.com/CAF/photos/large/Pleurotus _ostreatus(fs-03).jpg Coprinus comatus. Shaggu Cap. http://www.iwnha s.org/images/Coprinus_comatus_Shaggy_ Ink_Cap_Firestone_Copse_KM.jpg Psilocybe cyanescesns. Mykoweb. http://www.myk oweb.com/CAF/photos/large/Psilocybe_ cyanescens(fs-02).jpg
Videos of Experiments: Experiment 1 Growth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GsCqT1Ji1c Experiment 2 Split: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs5mST1hge3s Experiment 3 Grid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9VmFO-KUXg Experiment 4 Flame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHhnBCIZj6o Experiment 5 Slow Burn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stUD4eDjs8o