2.0 INITIAL PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH

The Hy-Fi pavilion was designed and built in 2014 by the firm ‘The Living’ in an effort to demonstrate the capabilities of organic and compostable building materials. The structure is made up of a Large timber frame which supports over 10,000 bricks made from mycelium. These bricks are fabricated in premade moulds which shape chopped corn stalks that have been inoculated with Oyster Mushroom Mycelium. The mycelium is heated and dried before construction to prevent further growth after they have been assembled. The mycelium is fully waterproof and can be disassembled and left to quickly decompose after the lifespan of the pavilion.

Growing Pavilion (Krown Design) is similarly constructed with a timber framework that is clad in mycelium. This example, however utilises large precast mycelium panels which intentionally are left to show the organic marks of growth. This system uses mycelium both as a structural and visual element within the building. Plywood panels are grown into the mycelium in order to allow for screwable assembly as mycelium cannot bite to screws on its own. The strain of mushroom spore used for this mycelium is also Oyster due to its veracious and quick grow time.

Plywood fixed to Panels

Side plywood braces Primary

Precast Vs Grow in Place Mycelium

Mycelium can be both precast (as shown in previous pages) and grown in place. Precast mycelium allows for extremely specific shapes to be formed in order to achieve either structural or aesthetic qualities whilst grow in place mycelium reduces construction time and cost. Both methods will be used in the project to satisfy specific visual and environmental criteria. Since grow in place mycelium doesn’t require drying, it can continue growing throughout the lifespan of the building.

Pasteurization vs Sterilization of Substrate

When access to a controlled environment is possible sterilization of a substrate is usually preferable. This gives the most ample results for mycelium cultivation as it creates an environment with no competing organisms. When grown in place, however, This control is not always possible and as such pasteurization (usually by boiling the substrate in water for 1 hour) is desirable as it builds a micro ecosystem which is robust and which supports the growth of mycelium despite suboptimal conditions.

Design Precedent - MYCOsella Chair and Furniture

MYCOsella chair by Natalia Poirecka is a research project which sought to test the structural limits of pure mycelium in construction. The centerpiece of the project is a full mycelium chair which can support the load of a user. To achieve this, many different substrates needed to be tested in order to establish a perfect equilibrium between density of substrate and necessary airflow for feeding the spores. The chair took a month to fully cultivate with mycelium before being dried and treated to prevent further growth.

Growing Mushrooms in Logs

Certain species of mushroom can grow within the fibres of trees and feed on lignins. A single log has enough food for a potential five years of fruiting yield. To prepare freshly cut wood for mushroom growth, one must first seal the cut ends with wax to preserve moisture content. Additionally the log must be pasteurized in boiling water in order to kill any competing fungus or bacteria. Typically the species of mushroom which grow in trees and log require a longer incubation time before actual fruiting. Hardwoods are desirable for optimal growth and as such the Oak and Pine trees on site can be used for this purpose.

Festival Drug Safe Spaces

One of the most prominent locations for psychedelic use are festivals. Generally speaking these spaces are not conducive to a positive trip due to the high amount of external inputs and stimulants that a user may experience. To counteract this, Zendo project has designed a reproducible structure that can be constructed with minimal effort in festival which gives a quiet and safe reprise from a festival in order to calm down a person on a bad trip. The design uses cardboard as sonic insulation and to also provide privacy and shade from the sun.

Substrate: Vermiculite

Colonization time: 8-15 days

Colonization temperature: 28 - 30 Celsius

Fruiting temperature: 23 – 26 Celsius

Light : Darkness

Pinhead Formation

Temperature: 20-22 °C

Humidity: 95-100%

Time Needed: 3-5 days

Light Indirect Sunlight

Fruiting Stage

Temperature: 20-22 °C

Humidity: 95-100%

Time Needed 4-6 days

Light : Indirect Sunlight

Most strains of psychedelic mushroom require specific growing climates. The growth cycle of cubensis B mushrooms (The psychedelic strain that will be grown within the building) can be broadly broken down into three stages. These are Inoculation/colonisation, Pinhead formation and fruiting. Overall the process from start to finish lasts around 6-7 weeks with the final 2 week stage being repeatable around 3 times for multiple yields.

This Graph shows the necessary environmental changes that the three stages of mushroom growth require. The inoculation and colonisation stage is the longest and requires the highest levels of humidity and temperature. The subsequent stages introduce fresh airflow and indirect light for the most efficient grow time.

Graph of temperature and humidity necessary for mushroom growth - Authors Own

Growing Cubensis B Mushrooms 2

The process of growing Cubensis B mushrooms is relatively easy and requires little effort past the initial inoculation. To begin with, the substrate of vermiculite is sterilised. Subsequently, mushroom spores are added and mixed with the sterilized substrate. Spores can be obtained externally or harvested from previous yields and diluted in distilled water. This mixture will then be sealed in an almost airtight container (usually a sterile plastic bag when grown on a small scale) and left for 3-4 weeks until the mycelium is fully colonised. After this period fresh airflow is added to the ‘cake’ which encourages fruiting. Over the next 3 weeks mushrooms will grow and are ready to be picked. .

Initial Mycelium Testing

To begin understanding the process of growing mushrooms, initial tests were done with standard straw substrate and oyster mushroom spawn. Pasteurization kills any unwanted bacteria which may be a threat to the mycelium whilst simultaneously adding moisture to the straw. This is essential to create the high humidity environment that is necessary for healthy cultivation. The test took 4 weeks to fully populate with mycelium and a further 2 weeks before the mushrooms began to fruit.

The first yield of mushrooms was scanned and digitised in order to be used as a basis for building a 3D space. Forms generated by the mushroom growth are thus directly transferred into the design process. The workflow of photogrammetry runs throughout the design process and ensures consistency between the narrative elements of mushroom growth in the building and the visual language of the architecture.

Modelling Into Digitised Mushrooms

Initial massing and atmospheric models were made to establish the desired conditions of certain spaces within the ritual. These first models detailed the point at which water flows into the building from the lake in order to brew into mushroom tea. The forms generated by the initial mushroom growing tests form a design language that is carried forward in the project.

Making Architectural Models with Mushrooms

Models were made with the mushrooms themselves to better understand the tactility and texture of mycelium/ mushroom fragments. This model was a speculative staircase which would carry the participant from one part of the ritual to the next. This test gave insight into how different architectural fragments might fit together and combine to create moments of ritualistic atmosphere.

Making Architectural Models with Mushrooms 2

The model made with mushrooms was photoscanned to further the process of digital modelling and rendering. This allowed for reframing within the digital space to better represent the desired atmosphere of the building

Testing Different Growing Conditions

Multiple sets of substrate of varying consistency and makeup were prepared to test growing variables. The objective of these tests was to determine whether the size of particulate used as a substrate as well as the addition of other elements such as flour would affect the resulting qualities of mycelium produced.

Testing different Growing Conditions - Results

The conclusion of this set of tests was that the shorter and more dense straw substrate resulted in the quickest yield of mycelium - taking only 4 weeks before fully cultivated. This was followed by the larger straw substrate which grew slower and less fully. It is also noted that the second dense substrate which was left at a lower temperature was considerably slower than the one left in more heat. The addition of flour to the substrate should have supposedly sped up the growing process yet the results from that substrate seemed to indicate the opposite with minimal growth at all. This may be due to contamination of the flower which counteracted the otherwise sterile substrate.

3.0 STRUCTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

Structural Precedent - Timber Ship Construction

The primary structure of the building is made up of laminated timber elements which are sourced from felled trees on site. In order to create the large light wells methods similar to that of timber ship construction will be used. This is a process of steam bending large timber elements to create a rib structure which is self supporting and relatively lightweight. To further reduce the weight of these structures, the ribs will be further spread apart than those of ships and the spaces will be filled with precast mycelium panels.

Heating Strategy

Research has dictated that the optimal conditions for mushroom growth and mycelium cultivation rely on consistent temperatures. To achieve this, a system of underfloor heating in combination with a concrete foundational raft is used to create a large thermal mass which will stabilize the internal temperature within the building. The underfloor heating system is fed by water from the lake and employs the principle of ground source heating. During hot summer months this system can be reversed such that excess heat is absorbed by the underfloor thermal mass and distributed underground. The control that this system offers is essential for creating a space that can vary in temperature according to both the seasons and the stage of growth of mushrooms within the building.

Berlin Glass Recycling

The primary insulating component of the building’s foundation is a layer of crushed glass. This was chosen not only because of its low environmental impact but also due to the specific way that Germany collects glass bottles. It is common in Berlin to see glass bottles placed beside bins rather than in them due to the importance placed on recycling in Germany. Schlachtensee is a popular location for outdoor drinking especially during the summer and as such it accrues a large number of waste glass bottles. These bottles can be directly taken from the perimeter of the lake and crushed on site to efficiently source the necessary materials for primary ground insulation.

Floor and Foundational Buildup

The makeup of the floor is primarily insulating with both a layer of crushed glass and a thick concrete raft which adds thermal mass. The raft is supported by screw pile foundations which add stability to the building while having minimal impact on existing natural root and mycelium structures. These piles are brought to site and easily screwed into place without the need for unnecessary excavation of earth. On top of the concrete is a layer of mycelium which acts as a secondary thermal barrier.

Humidity Strategy

In addition to high temperatures, high humidity is also necessary for optimal mycelium growth. This is achieved through the use of semi-mechanical humidification. Air intakes are located on the North-East side of the building to best catch prevailing wind. This air is drawn through a wick that is dampened with water (taken from the lake) by the assistance of a low energy fan. The humidified air is then drawn across the necessary spaces in which there is living mycelium by use of the stack effect. This effect is also used on a smaller scale in places where there is a particularly high amount of living mycelium. The intake of fresh air is essential not only for adequate growth but also to provide good ventilation such that the spores dropped by any mushrooms won’t linger in the air which sometimes causes uncomfortable breathing.

Wind flow adding to stack effect

Informed by laminar flow hoods which are a commonly used apparatus when growing mushrooms, this container is designed to provide humid and filtered pure air to the Cubensis B psilocybin mushrooms. This top section is designed to be lifted when mushrooms are being picked and to lower the humidity in accordance with the stage of the growth cycle of the mushrooms. Air is pumped from submerged tubes through a tank of distilled water which then flows through air intakes which bring this humidified air through a filter before reaching the mushrooms. The filters are designed to be replaceable when necessary. Air outlets on the top of the container are toggleable to provide further control to the internal environment.

Before consumption, The water from the lake must be property filtered and treated. This is done through a series of processes which separate sediment from the water before it is filtered through sand and active charcoal and finally purified with UV light. Furthermore the water will be boiled during the process of brewing the mushroom tea which will provide further purification of the water

Construction Sequence

The construction of the building will begin with excavation of the necessary site before foundations are screwed and cast into place. Next, the timber framework of the building will be erected and the prefabricated lightwell elements will be lowered into place. The final stage of construction will consist of installing precast mycelium panels and inoculating any grow in place mycelium within the building.

Growing Cordyceps to Fight the German Bark Beetle

In recent years there has been a large increase of the number of spruce and pine trees dying due to a species of beetle native to Germany. These beetles feed on the bark of trees thus causing them to eventually die. A possible solution to this problem is the cultivation of cordycep fungus which is specifically crossbred to both attract and subsequently kill the beetle. When an insect feeds on this fungus, they unknowingly begin to act as a substrate for the cordycep mycelium which eventually kills them. These mushrooms can hypothetically be cultivated within the building and used to control the population of the beetle

4.0 - THE RITUAL

Entering The Living Ritual

Corridor to the Ritual

The first contact that the participant has with the building is the narrow corridor which leads to the main mushroom growing space. The right hand wall is made from various books which pertain to psychedelia and which have been inoculated with mushroom spores. These books therefore merge into a homogeneous mycelium wall providing sonic insulation to the research space deeper within the building. On the left, mycelium is grown around sealed sections of trees that were felled during the excavation of the site.

Atmospherically, This corridor serves to introduce the participant to the ritual and give the impression that the mushrooms have agency and authority within the programme.

Growing Mushrooms in Books

To test the potential ability to grow mycelium/mushrooms in books I used principals established through previous tests to inform the process of inoculation. I began by boiling the book to pasteurize the pages thus creating a suitable growing environment. Pages were then filled with mycelium rich rye seeds before sealing the book in a sterile growing bag. Surprisingly, the book was the fastest growing mycelium out of all previous tests and was quick to fruit mushrooms.

Designing a Wall of Books

The method used for attaching the books to the timber studs is a series of dowelled wooden elements which clamp on the inoculated books and then fix into pre drilled holes in the timber. These clamping elements would be boiled before installation in order to pasteurize them and encourage mycelium to spread between the books. Over time, the wall would become completely covered in mycelium and the joints would be almost completely obscured

Designing a Wall of Books

Iterating on the previous design, this second clamping design is similar in principle but refines the properties of the joints to better encourage mycelium growth. By creating a more perforated surface and by using only one joint at every corner intersection. these joints should theoretically allow for better growth and adherence of the mycelium.

Variable heating element allows for precise growing conditions

Cordycep Growing Spaces

In the research space of the building, hatches open to cubby holes which are accessible for the researchers such that they can cultivate and grow cordycep mushrooms to fight the German bark beetle. The platform on which the mushrooms are placed is retractable such that the fungus can be monitored and maintained by the researchers. Covering the mushrooms from the outside are segments of spruce bark which will attract the beetle.

Picking The Mushrooms

The largest space in the building is that in which the psychedelic mushrooms are growing. Visually this mirrors the action of growth as the building itself emerges from the subterrain. As previously mentioned, the primary structural element of this space is the dual ribbed lightwell which provides both stack ventilation and indirect sunlighting.

The larger light wells are made up of two separate rib structures. The outer structure is heavier and provides the majority of the support whilst the inner structure serves as an attachment frame for precast mycelium panels. The air gap between these two shells provides insulation which, in combination with the insulating properties of mycelium, allows for an efficient thermal envelope.

Structural Detail - Top of The Rib Structure

Near the top of the rib structure an air vent allows for hot air to be extracted by means of the stack effect. This air is channelled through the gap between the ribs and out through an opening. Purlins are used to give further structural support to the ribbed shell.

The second step of the ritual is the participant choosing and picking the mushrooms that they will consume. This is done at the previously detailed mushroom growing vessel. The humidity and high temperature of this space is felt by the participant and thus strengthens the connection between them and the medicine.

The rib structure is supported primarily by laminated timber beams which run vertically and horizontally throughout the building. The structure is joined primarily with dowling which is drilled and installed in place during construction. This allows for a margin of error between the prefabricated elements and the on site framework.

Mycelium block insulation is installed between structural elements of the ribbed shell to provide further insulation and environmental control. These blocks can be grown in place to ensure that there are no air gaps.

Sacrifice / Feeding The Building

Sacrifice and feeding the Building

On day 2 of the ritual, the participant goes on a walk with the guide to establish any uncertainties or anxieties that they might have about the upcoming trip. On this walk around the lake, the participant is encouraged to find an item from the forest which will be offered to the building as a sacrifice before the trip. These items will feed the living mycelium within the building and over time, will allow forms within the building to grow and evolve. This process both adds to the ritualistic nature of the experience whilst also allowing for a register of the buildings history and use.

Growing Mycelium Around Found Sacrificial Items / Mycelium Ladle

To simulate this stage of the ritual I went on a walk to obtain natural found items with which to grow mycelium around. These were then boiled and pasteurized before being lashed together with wire to form a desired substructure. This was then placed in a sterile growing bag which was filled with substrate and formed with tension similar to techniques of fabric formwork casting. The objective of this test was to establish a language on two scales as the grown object acts as a ladle for serving mushroom tea whilst also evoking large scale architectural gestures.

These renders show the model at a 1:1 scale with reality and present the function of the model as the ladle which will be used by the guide to serve mushroom tea to the participant.

Growing Wall / Sacrifice

Informed by accounts of underground guided ceremonies, it is common for the participant to leave an item as a gesture of sacrifice. Psychologically this deepens the meaning of the trip. The building will take these sacrifices in such a way as to evoke the sense that the participant is feeding the building. The growing wall will ‘absorb’ the found items which mycelium will eventually break down and use for food.

Initial mycelium

1 week of growth

1 month of growth

3 months of growth

1 year of growth

Overlayed

Structural Detail - Growing Wall

To mirror the found items on a larger scale, a large section of a tree will be put in place as the primary structure for the initial mycelium mass. A small amount of daylight will be let in through a window in the facade in order to increase the temperature on the hidden side of the mycelium. The balustrade will encourage outward mycelium growth and provide a more rigid structure in addition to the found items brought by participants.

A small channel of water is passed under the growing mycelium to increase local humidity. Hot air from the underfloor heating system will draw humid air upwards and across the surface of the fungus. The Growing wall will not only serve as a visual element of the ritual but will also aid in the insulation of the interior space by providing further thickness to the walls of the building.

Brewing the Tea

The tea is boiled over a small wood burning stove. Exhaust from the stove is brought upwards through tubes and is discharged from openings in the upper shell. This space marks the end of the conscious ritual as the participant ingests the tea and as such, a cast mycelium staircase visually draws the participant upwards to the next stage of the ritual.

Test - 3D Printed Mycelium Formwork

To test the capabilities of mycelium casting with complex shapes, a balustrade was modelled in negative and printed with the intention to cast mycelium substrate. This test was mostly unsuccessful and would have benefited from longer time for the mycelium to fully cultivate. The limited scale of the test was also limiting in the sense that the straw substrate was not able to fully compress into the mould. Despite this, the test did yield some interesting forms and worked as expected though with unsatisfactory execution. The model was useful, however, once scanned.

Digitising the Cast

After photo scanning the test, I was able to slightly alter failed geometries of the test while retaining the overall structure and makeup of the balustrade. This allowed the test to actually indicate valid materiality and spatiality.

Speculative render describing the cast forms of the test as implemented in a staircase balustrade.

Extending The Forest

Initial design for the corridor leading to the final stage of the ritual. This is made up from replaceable timber logs which are cut from the surrounding site. These logs are then inoculated with spores such that they grow mushrooms.

Since the logs only provide enough food for five years of mushroom cultivation these components are designed to rotate and allow for replacements to be brought in when needed.

Textural and Visual Qualities of Mushrooms

The corridor is designed with the intention to extend the forest and make the participant aware of the natural qualities of the site. The compressed nature of the space and the proximity to the delicate mushrooms will encourage the participant to slow down and be gentle thus setting up a good mindset for the oncoming trip

Iterating on the previous design to better exemplify the natural qualities of the forest through use of natural cut trees. Overlapping walls build a sense of anticipation and continuation of space towards the final room. By obscuring the final destination the space is also mimicking the effects of the eye mask which is worn during a guided trip which is meant to focus the participant inwards.

Architecturalising The Eyemask

Plan and section showing the route through the corridor and its relation to the water on site. The walls act as a register of the waterline with the first being at the lake’s highpoint and the second corresponding with the low point. This furthers the connection to the site, increasing the participant’s awareness of the forest and lake.