Our first goal is to achieve this production of mycelium, important are

-type of cellulose based input
-sterilization proccess
-type of mushrooms
-growing time of mushrooms

Second goal is while we are creating the materials, to find a possible use in architecture. This will be based on the quality and type of the material we will produce in this time.

The final goal is to fabricate this possible use, it can be:

-a module of a system
-a building block to construct
-a smaller scale object (furniture)

Resarch group:
Gökhan Catikkas
Hristo Ivanov Kovachev
Renata de Castro Lotto
Giombattista Areddia

MYCELIUM GROWING / SUPPLYING v1.0

Mycelium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in soil and on or within many other substrates. A typical single spore germinates into a homokaryotic mycelium, which cannot reproduce sexually; when two compatible homokaryotic mycelia join and form a dikaryotic mycelium, that mycelium may form fruiting bodies such as mushrooms. A mycelium may be minute, forming a colony that is too small to see, or it may be extensive.

In 2013, a company called Ecovative Design announced that they were developing an alternative to polystyrene and plastic packaging by growing mycelium in agricultural waste. The two ingredients would be mixed together and placed into a mold for 3–5 days to grow into a durable material. Depending on the strain of mycelium used, they could make different varieties of the material including water absorbant, flame retardant, and dielectric.

http://www.ecovativedesign.com/mushroom-materials/

Phil ross (artist biologist) tries to research the potential of mycelium materials

http://philross.org/projects/mycotecture/#projects/mycotecture/

Our purpose is mainly trying to do it with the mushrooms we found around the property of Valdaura so that what we design in the end would be fitting to the concept of local materials better.

As we walked around we found a lot of mushrooms growing on tree roots, but not so many growing freely on the soil we collected them all to start experimenting. After we started our research and found out that the mushrooms growing on tree branches or roots were very hard growing ones so we started searching for fast growin, mycelium forming mushrooms and ideal conditions to do the proccess.

We found a simple method on youtube to form mycelium. This method uses cardboard and warm water to sterilize the cardboard for 20 minutes.

After this they put little pieces of mushroom tissue in the container and wait.

We continued trying different methods to sterilize sawdust and different types  of mushroom to grow mycelium.

We found a mycelium supplier and got some already grown mycelium. He told us that to grow more from that bag needed very precise conditions like humidity and temperature. We will try to shape our final product with this already started growing mycelium.

We mycroscoped our own grown mycelium tissues and saw the web like structure.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT v1.0

The purpose is to crate different functions  with the similar modules wich can be created as “building” bricks

Our inspiration comes from already existing installation and from the existing patterns in nature. By research and try & error principle we struggle to find harmony and function mixed with a spice of innovation. With the help of our digital tools we are convinced of a positive conclusion.

MODULE DESIGN v1.0

Instead of using pipes and form cylinders we thought about using more organic geometric modules to make combinations of objects.

One idea was putting led lights around the block and connect the cables insida to generate electricity from tree roots for a little glow in the dark.

The modules could be completed with completed with different caps for different purposes like a little table, shading or seating elements.

PROTOTYPING V1.0

We constructed our container prototype with simple material and because we could not grow mycelium, just to see the module in scale we started building our prototype from gypsum

The bag of mycelium we ordered has arrived so that now we could start playing with the real material

The gypsum model had the imperfect texture like mycelium and gave us the idea of the final product

We also tried pressed newspaper pieces to produce a material strenght close to mycelium.  Because mycelium we had was limited, to play with the joints we were searching for the substitute materials.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT V2.0

Using only Modules grown from myicellium we insist on creating a multifunctional Installation. The combination of a children playground, resting place, defined event space mixed with aviculture, agriculture and fencing properties will provide Valldaura with a unique structure.

An Installation that has imaginable and unimaginable properties at the same time. Creating interesting view points, constantly changing spectacle of lights and shadows, may be even a nesting place for birds or shelter for wild animals.

We reshape our modules over and over in order to make them fit and interlock together without any joints but in the same time to be able to fulfill all other functions. Like a shape that interlocks but is still comfortable for a person to sit on

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT – APPLICATION V1.0

We are working on two possible positions for out Installation. The first is as a secret place deep in the Valldaura forest near the campus. It will act as a surprise and unexpected opportunities for the people exploring the forest paths. The second is an Installation as a renovation are. The location is the entrance of the campus. Installation which will provide a curious entrance experience for the arrivers and in the same time provides an upgrade for the already existing functions on that spot.

The next logical step after locating our possible position was the separation and position of the different functions in the Installation according to the surroundings. Using grasshopper we put our gradient, functions and the various way of positions that our modules can acheave in the software and use it to emerge with a new more functional pattern

PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION V2.0

The containers were made to test different mycelium growth proccess in different joints with different conditions. Various types of vertical and horizontal joints were researched.

To fix the mycelium we tried to dehumidfiy and bake the myceilum shell baking resulted in a harder mycelium piece and after leaving to dry under the sun for couple of days the pieces were getting harder.

It is undersandable that without contct with air or humidty mycelium does not grow inside the piece after 2 cm and creates a shell around the brick piece.

Sample 8A is the most succesfull and strong block produced, so the research contiunes on the method 8A and about the quailties of the material generated.

MYCELIUM GROWING / SUPPLYING v2.0

Block Production

Filling

Growth

Unboxing

Blocks

Our Design Approach to the Scientific System

Phytodepuration systems are most effective at a large scale. The system’s treatment of water is intrinsically cumulative, and therefore is most advantageous if it includes many iterations in a repetitive module. This repetitive technique will help us reach the level of potability we are aiming for, so our design investigation is focusing on finding one discrete and efficient module for phytodepuration that can be repeated with slight variations (to accommodate different macrophyte varieties). The generation of energy will also be included in the module, in an integrated, nimble technique that requires only lightweight infrastructure.

Balancing Macrophytes + Flowforms: To design a module that takes advantage of a technically efficient system, it is crucial for us to understand the correct process of phytodepuration. A successful system is one that oxygenates water, removes toxins, heavy metals, phosphates, nitrates, and filters out any unwanted fragments while maintaining a neutral ph balance and cool temperature. Certain macrophytes–aquatic plants that grow submerged or partially submerged water–are able to absorb C02 during photosynthesis and give off oxygen simultaneously reducing algae growth. Valldaura’s varied topography, and frequency of steep grade, will allow us to create a site-specific system that incorporates water oxygenation via flowforms. We need to consult a biologist to determine whether we can achieve full oxygenation using only flowforms, and might thereby be able to concentrate primarily on macrophytes that filter and remove toxins.

Our Objective

To construct a “circuit” of modules, comprised of several oscillations between flowforms and macrophyte retention ponds. The system will simultaneously clean water, using macrophytes and flowforms, and intrinsically generate lightweight energy. It is important to create a module system that can repeat, with slight variations to macrophyte type and specific site grade. We would like to create a system that is capable of giving the Valldaura house potable water. We believe a solution can be found that gives the user control over the cleanliness of the water (and the volume of water taken from the site) depending on their needs, in order to create an intelligent system that can save water and generate energy.

First Prototype of the Aeration Form

After completing the first prototype, the team made a series of observations about the effectiveness and design, and analyzed them. The results of this analysis, in the diagrams below, were used to develop the ideas into a second prototype

Prototype 1 & Prototype 2

Prototype 1 & Prototype 2

Moire Patern & Prototype 2

Prototype 1 & Prototype 2

Prototype 2 

Patern & Prototype 2 Details

The following are microscopic images of water, and then for comparison, microscopic images of water with florescence lit beneath a UV lamp. This florescent water was used to visually analyze the movement of water through the second prototype.

Glowing Water Microscope

Some captures from the videos recorded, below, show the differences between how water passes through the different gradients of “tooth” height at different volumes/speeds.

After completing these tests, the team analyzed the form (shown in the diagrams below) to isolate variables affecting the final outcome, and how to proceed with each of those variables in the third prototype. The team also began thinking about how to integrate an overall branching organization in the system.

The third prototype uses these considerations. It embodies a small detail of the system, at 1:1 scale. The detail chosen includes energy collection via lightweight piezoelectric movement in the flow of the water.

A bottle containing a green substance is placed close to the window at the third floor of the school. A red straw sticks out and sometimes someone gets close and blows to move the green particles that after a few minutes lay down on the bottom again. That was the first draft of the algae farm. We didn’t know they could really light up a LED. But it really happened. Our Introductory Studio research aims to capture the energy that otherwise would be lost during the metabolism process of the algae. This energy is green and it needs to be shown through a temporary and functional installation at Valldaura Self-Sufficient Lab, transmitting a message of change.

The research studio started with evaluating the capacity of algae to release energy during their life span. During the first two weeks, we managed to create a battery using two metal plates (zinc and copper) as anode and cathode. They are bended to touch the bottom part of the container where the algae settle, while the opposite edges are connected to a multimeter measuring the voltage and giving us the result of less than 1V. After a few days of right sunlight exposure, constant temperature and input of nutrients and carbon dioxide, the same container gave us a better and significant result. Setting more containers in a series connection and using the same quantity of algae+water we tripled the first electricity value succeding to light up a 3 volts LED. Fabricating a technical and compact prototype by laser-cutting allowed us to evaluate the number of cells we needed to turn on more LEDs by multiplying the number of the containers with our living energy source.

The first draft has been improved in a farm for the reproduction of micro-algae, mostly Chlorella Vulgaris, and cyanobacteria that contribute to create the perfect environment for their growth. Several containers are equally filled with the green source and supplied with carbon dioxide via air lines connected to a general pump through some T connectors. It has been preferred to split the green matter into more containers to respond to the natural growth inhibition caused by the overcrowding. The air pushed into the water allows the movement of the particles and their breeding.

We have been focusing on a initial morphological proposal. As first design exercise, the patterns deduced from gradients and microscopical snap-shots, helped us figure out the disposition, composition and connection of the cellular matter. The modeling process defined the overall structure and the single biophotovoltaic cell.

The cellular pattern is initially composed by three different modules that change for size, parametrically arranged in different ways to simulate motion and diversity. Looking at the way the Chlorella Vulgaris reproduces, the bigger module has been, in turn, divided in 9 sub-cells, while the smaller ones have been combined in pairs, each one with 4 cells electrically connected each other. This allowed to free the arrangement possibilities and give the cells complete autonomy.

The starting shape has been improved to integrate the cells with the pipes movement in the air. Pipes represent the necessary interaction between users and algae. The users are invited to blow in the airlines connected to each sub-cell to supply the algae with carbon dioxide and force the motion of the particles. The algae respond with light

In order to be able to fabricate multiple components we had to merge simplicity with aesthetics. The discretisation of the organic cells arrived to a triangulated sphere with output for electricity and interaction through localized inward and outward extrusions.

Form and function define one other. The installation will take place along the entrance pathway of Valldaura campus as witness of a change in the collective environmental awareness and as introducer to the Self-Sufficient lab. The elevation of the cells to an upper level permitts the mutual interaction and benefit between visitors, who are able to contribute to the algae sustenance by blowing into the pipes connected to each sub-cell, and algae that release oxygen and attest their presence through light.