Mycelium Research - Prototyping Architecture

Prototyping Architecture Report Tectonic Research

Mycelium AR6022

Applied Technology in Architecture

Ana-Laura Mohirta

CONTENTS

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01 INTRODUCTION Research & Observations Final Model 4-7 Solar Decathlon Details SOL_ID Mycelium within SOL_ID 06 EXPERIMENT 6 : PANEL 50-61 02 MYCELIUM Introduction 8-21 Mould building What is mycelium?

Module typology & geometric enquiry Research question & methodology Model Details Growth Process Embodied Energy Mechanical Performance 07 ADDITIONAL DETAIL Precedents 62-63 Species 03 EXPERIMENT 1&2 : TEST BOX 22-27 Introduction Process Research & Conclusions 04 EXPERIMENT 3 : WEAVE MODULE 28-33 Introduction Mould Building Process Research & Conclusions 05 EXPERIMENT 5 : HEXAGONAL BRICK 34-49 Introduction Module typology & geometric enquiry Mould building

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INTRODUCTION Solar Decathlon Latin America and the Carribean 2015 The Solar Decathlon Competition has been running since 2002 when it was set up by the U.S Department of Energy.

Since then the competition has been running every two years in Europe, Asia and of course the United States, with 2015 being the first year to take place in South America.

Developed to showcase architectural and engineering innovations and open a global

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conversation on how domestic architecture can change in order to be self sufficient and reduce CO2 through innovation and design, the competition engages students to propose and build a 1:1 housing prototype responding to the specific requirements of each year.

Each entry will be assessed in ten different contests ranging from architecture, engineering and construction, comfort to energy efficiency and balance.

INTRODUCTION

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SOL_ID UNIT & EXHIBITION PROTOTYPE Solar Village

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lat: 3.420556 lon: -76.522222 date: 23/09/2014 time: 12:00 gmt-5 azim.: 103.72° elev.: 74.95°

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Solar Village is situated at the Universidad de Vale, in Santiago de Cali, Colombia

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Solar Village is situated at the Universidad the Valle, in Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

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10 ENTRANCE

AM Above: Solar Village Site

Above: SolarLayout Village Site Layout

Above Right: Sun Path Diagram for Cali

Above Right : Sun Path 1: for Entrance Diagram Cali

2: Press 3: Games area 4: Stage 6: Square of events 7: Green grid

1: Entrance 8: Auditorium 2: Press 8:Auditorium 9: Jury 3: Games9:area 10: Bathrooms Jury 4: Stage H: Heli Pad Bathrooms 5: Square10: of events 6: GreenH: greed Helicopter Pad 7: Green center

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INTRODUCTION SOL_ID Prototype The SOL_ID overarching architectural concept for the design of the prototype unit is the idea of having flexible interchangeable space designed to be broken into a simple kit of parts.

This aims to facilitate an effective and low cost method of construction.

The building skin of the proposed scheme will consist of 3 main layers of individual scope.

The first is a Cross Laminated Gauda structure which acts as the main superstructure and will house primary services.

The second is the lightweight internal pods which facilitate the main programmatic requirements of the building and give the highest level of privacy and environmental comfort within the building. The pods are subdivided into 3 flexible living spaces, an interstitial semi open courtyard living space

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and an integrated service pod. This concept was born from case studies of existing tropical precedent in climatically similar regions and a desire to have maximum adaptability within a single unit.

The third is the canopy that will envelope the buildings roof, specifically designed to reduce radiant thermal gains. This layer is not aimed to act as the main meteorological barrier (function that will be supported by the fabric of the pods, but accommodate for natural ventilation, reducing the pressure on the internal envelope, together with providing energy for the entire unit This poly-skinned approach allows for each layer to focus entirely on one tectonic strategy, structure and ventilation, adaptability, heat island mitigation and power generation.

INTRODUCTION Mycelium within SOL_ID Looking for an organic substitute for conventional building materials, the SOL_ID research in material performance has been concentrated this year on Mycelium, taking advantage of its qualities of almost zero net carbon production footprint, flexibility in building, use of local resources and ideas of circular economies.

Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungus, a network of carbon-based matter, which behaves as hyphae struts. Feeding on carbon and nitrogen, mycelium has a high performance when grown within substrates such as rice straw, wheat straw, paper waste, cottonseed husks, sawdust. Rigidity in fungi is achieved with the chitin component of polysaccharides. This forms the scheletal structure of the fungi and defines the mycelium cellular structure.

Similar to expanded polysterene, mycelium has the ability to mould into any shape and high insulating properties whilst allowing for an unique lightweight language of architectural development. Whilst the use of expandable foam creates a new platform for easy and low-cost production and installation on site, mycelium defines a production cycle that has a high sustainability performance through its almost no waste manufacturing process, regenerative use of local agricultural waste and ability to be fully compostable leaving no harmful mark to the environment around it.

With a heavy industry of agricultural and coffee production and recently developed mycological interest, Colombia has provided us with a great test bed of introducing this material as a responsible option to a predominantly self-built housing market.

The following research has been developed during the period of 6 months in collaboration with Conor Scully.

The first step consists of a theoretical and practical analysis into the material as a living organism as seen in Experiments 1&2&3 (page x). Understanding optimal growth variables

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has allowed us to increase the efficiency of the material’s insulative and structural properties and formulate speculations of large scale productions.

The following step of the investigation looks at the potential of Mycelium to populate irregular geometries challenging the current dimensional restraints of the material. Experiments 4&5&6 (page y) will thus present enquiries into brick, panel and connective distribution. Furthermore, the report will present two speculative options.

As observed through the research undergone, the following notes should be taken into consideration when designing with mycelium: Brick • • • •

Performs well under compression.

When building the mould allow for 2%-4% shrinkage of composite.

Weight of overall sample is reduced with 40%-50% after being post-processed.

Dimensional restraints: depth of 170mm

Panel/Block • • • • •

Supported by an internal structural frame strongly recommended.

Use of binding properties to create joints similar to wood construction between panels Dimensional restraints: 500x500x170mm Confirmed fire-retardancy qualities Laminate panels can be adhered or permanently attached to the mycelium blocks, creating a sandwich panel, similar to bamboo laminate panels combined with a polymer foam core.

Shellac / Jesmonite Coating •

Current studies directed to long term exposure to environmental conditions have shown that the brick/mycelium product requires an external coating to keep the composite at the optimum moisture level.

Recomanded application within SDLAC: partition walls, furniture elements and canopy.

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What is mycelium?

Mycelium is a self assembling material, found in the root structure of fungus, that can transform organic waste and other materials into a single fibrous monolith. These characteristics produce a polymer acting material that can be used as a place holder for the polymers that are required in the plastic industry.

Unlike other organic materials Mycelium has on average a 85-90% calcium content which after heat treatment leaves a dense, insulating and rigid fire resistant mass that can be cast into any shape.

The current variance in microbiological slants allow for different species to be used in any part of the world and spores designed to work synergically with local waste production.

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MYCELIUM

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Introduction The prefruiting rhizomorphic vegative structure of Ganoderma Lucidum and Pleurotus Ostreatus are shown to have the structural properties of construction grade timber and foam insulation respectively. Current dimensional constraints have meant that the characteristics of this naturally grown material is not being optimised.

ingestion comes at the cost of robustness, as young colonies tend to have a broad and diaphanous network it is susceptible to attack and this makes the organism very fragile in the in the beginning before it has set up a strong network.

Thesis question

Test moulds will be created and filled with either 60% Alnus Nepalanis wood chips, 20% wood dust, 10% Rye Grain, 8% Bran and 2% Gypsum for Ph Balance or a substrate of 80% Alnus Nepalanis wood chips and 20% Wheat Straw.

Test moulds will contain .008m^3 .027m^3 .064m^3 and .512m^3. to test for i. Growth rates ii. Growth Direction iii. Growth / anaerobic digestion ratios iv. Optimum spawn substrate ratios.

Current mycelial arrangements available do not take advantage of the prototypical fiberous charateristics or it’s ability to populate irregular geometries created through reductive moulds.

The aim of this study is to explore the use of G. Lucidum and P. Ostreatus in various geometric configurations and to create a methodology for the exploration of volumes greater than the standard block. Subsequent to this, substrate and composition variance will be tested for optimimum configuration.

Growth Fungi are a heterotropic organism and thus ingest nutrients in a different way than other arboreal plants. Mycelium takes in nutrients through a method of absorption. When substrate is composed of simple molecules like glucose and sucrose it is easy to pass through cell walls and be transported through a plants nutritional network.

Fungus however is capable on feeding on far more complex molecules such as cellulose lignin, pectin etc. among other insoluble components. In order to reduce these complex molecules into simpler components, the Mycelium releases enzymes that break down and digest the chains of Polymers and monomers.

The essential difference between fungi and animal digestive systems is that the Mycelium digests the food first and then ingests while animals eat first then digest. This process of

Methodology

This growth and dimensional data will be collected and used to inform how larger moulds would be populated and what geometric configuration should suit them best.

Several configurations spanning from block to free-form articulations will be created to test for their compressive and tensile strengths and torsion resistance.

The information collected will at last inform two scenarios of building application to be observed under environmental conditions in preparation for the Solar Decathlon Latin America and the Carribean 2015.

Results It was found that due to the density of the G. Lucidum mycelium and the length of time required for it to grow sectional dimensions should be reduced to a maximum of AxBxC. For this reason geometric configurations should be confined to thinner sectional elements configured in a network rather than large masonic panel format.

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02 MYCELIUM GROWTH PROCESS

GRAIN SPAWN PRODUCTION Grain Spawn is the intermediate step in mushroom cultivation and provides the initial mycological material for production. Spore prints or mushroom fungus are first populated in a sealed petri dish of high nutrient liquid.

After a period of time a portion of the newly colonised mycelium is removed from the dish and placed in a more robust food source, in this case a grain.

The process of creating grain spawn requires Lab facilities in order to propagate the mycelium without contamination.

Short Discussion Though this stage could not be integrated by the team into the experiment due to time and location constraints, the present step can provide a great initial advantage to the biomaterial.

Properties such as quality and strength of strain, growth speed, state of inoculum matter can be controlled and optimised during this process.

Both strains of Pleurotus Ostreatus and Ganoderma Lucidum were sourced for the purpose of this experiment from Kent, in the form of inoculated grain spawn.

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MYCELIUM

RAW MATERIALS SOURCING

MOULD PREPARATION

The raw materials or substrate for this part of the process will form the bulk, nutrients and structure for the final prototype material, their main function consisting in providing a reservoir of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

This stage consists in creating the defining formwork for the bio-material.

The ecological benefits of this material come from it’s ability to utilise agricultural waste material.

Silica, perlite, clay and other biologically inert materials may be added to the lignocellulose substrate in order to change material qualities that include density, porosity and flexural capacities.

Main function : to provide

Waste paper Oat husk Rice straw

Rice bran Woodchips

Knitted textiles

MYCELIUM

Leaves Coffee Natural

Sugarcane Cornstalk

Wheat Wheat Rice husks

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The Plastic moulds which house the moulds play a crucial part in the growth and colonisation of the part. The vacuum formed plastic mould which will finally be sealed with a polyethylene lid will form a semi hermetic container which will ensure constant humidity and reduce the effects of air borne contamination.

The process of production involves the creation of a series of MDF positives that are vacuum formed. The containers will undergo several stages of cleaning before being introduced into the inoculation room.

Short discussion It was observed tha a combination of semi-hard mould, followed by a reagitation of the material and change of medium to a soft enclosure performed best in the case of both strains used.

The mould must be able to retain the desired shape through the whole process, but be flexible enough to allow oxygenation to reach lower layers of substrate.

Increases fire-resistancy

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02 MYCELIUM

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

PASTEURISATION

Substrate preparation is normally done in a semi clean environment that is separate from the inoculation room to reduce airborne cross contamination.

Substrate material will need to be pasteurized prior to being put in contact with the spawn grain. All participants must be wearing hair nets, plastic gloves up to the elbow and paper mouth masks. All surfaces to be washed with Isopropyl alcohol.

This implies the mixture of the required raw materials, which will be hydrated and prepared for the process of pasteurisation.

The process of mixing substrate is time consuming and labor intensive if not done mechanically. The hydrating and mixing of the substrate signifies the start of the clean processes as the nutrient rich materials become susceptible to contamination.

As materials are mixed and prepped for pasteurization timing becomes crucially important. If a period of more than 72 hours has passed before mixing and pasteurization there is the possibility of the formation of green mould. Similarly once the pasteurization has happened the substrate must be inoculated after it has cooled adequately and before the reformation of competing bacteria become present.

There are a number of methods that can be used to pasteurize. In each of these instances the substrate is heated to a a temperature between 60-80 degrees and kept at this temperature for 1.5 hours.

A large scale autoclave is the most prefered method as it can be easily monitored and provides the most consistent results. In previous experiments we kept this environment through a domestic cooking pot and ring heater. Although it was a slow process, the temperatures was easy to mediate and once consistent required little extra heat to maintain.

With this method the saturated substrate was left out to cool and dry. This had complications as the outer layer was exposed to contamination while the lower layers retained excessive amounts of water.

A later process involved filling oven proof nylon bags with substrate and putting it into a pottery kiln. Temperatures were monitored with a meat thermometer and reached the correct temperature in a much faster time. This method allowed us to pasteurize large quantities of material with reduced hydration. Caution should be given as bags have a tendency to overheat and burn due to latent energy transfers and overly dry areas of substrate.

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MYCELIUM

INOCULATION

CLIMATISATION

Inoculation involves the introduction of mycelium cultures to the sterilized substrate in a sealed container. In previous inoculations we have layered mycelium in substrate in order to encourage network robustness.

The mycelial colonisation will take between 4-6 weeks. During this time the temperature of the room will need to be monitored as well as checking for mould.

Alternating 50mm sterilised substrate and spawn grain is to be placed in moulds until full.

Entire mixture to be hand packed to reduce large air pockets. Large gaps are difficult for the mycelium to bridge and will delay the colonisation process.

Mycelial growth is happens in high humidity, low light and low air change environments.

For this reason all moulds will be covered in polythene lids and punctured with small air holes.

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In order to promote mycelium growth strict environmental conditions must be maintained this includes the control of temperature, humidity daylight, CO2 and air borne contamination.

By using hermetically sealed grow moulds you reduce the necessity of humidity and contamination.

The environmental control will promote homogeneity in results and can also be used to discourage the growth of the unwanted pre fruiting bodies.

This process must be done in a clean environment with occupants wearing gloves, hairnets and masks.All surfaces to be washed with Isopropyl alcohol.

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02 MYCELIUM Embodied Energy Mycelium presents several qualities that render it a great candidate as a low-carbin material.

First, the process implies a biological additive manufacturing through its ability to be grown in parts which have the property of self binding.

Second, its diverse use of growing medium allows for a regional manufacturing, minimising the transport of raw and finished materials, and thus reducing the emobided energy.

POST PROCESS In the final stages of the process it is necessary to halt the growth of the mycelium and remove residual moisture from the geometry. This process also hardens the material and reduces the flexibility by creating a single fibrous monolithic mass. In order to stop any further growth the material must be heated throughout.

This can be achieved in 2 ways. In the first instance the pieces can be placed in sealed room that is being heated and dehumidified. The other process is to use a kiln or industrial oven.

Furthermore, the material is 100% biodegradable and compostable. Thus the material can be mulched, composted or thrown away and will quickly break down in any location.

The side chart shows the embodied energy calculations determined from Experiment 5 & 6 ( Hexagonal bricks and Panel wall). This is currently at a higher rate due the pasteurisation and post-processing stages which we found hard to create a more efficient process, through the constraint of location and risk of contamination.

Current research shows, however, that through a performant production cycle embodied energy can reach currently 8 times less than EPS.

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Embodied Energy of Experiment 5 & 6 ( Location: London)

Emodied Energy of Innoculation 1 ( Location : London ) Volume m2

Density

Quantity

Unit

Energy

Unit

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High

Total Low

High

01_Grain Spawn Production 02_Raw Materials 2 _1

Material

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Triticum spp. Straw

10 kg

0.24

0.24 Mj / kg

2.4

2.4

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Quercus Woodchip

80 kg

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10.4 Mj / kg

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832.0

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Gypsum

10 kg

1.8

1.8 Mj / kg

18.0

18.0

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Oatbran

5 kg

2.75

2.75 Mj / kg

13.8

13.8

252

252

1294.9 460.2 1650.3

1294.9 460.2 1650.3

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Process Delivery to Farm ?

03_Delivery Farm to London

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04_Mould Prep 4 _1

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Material HIP Plastic Polypropelyene MDF Processing Bandsaw Drill Sander

Vacumforming

0.016

926

0.21

700

14.8 kg 6.0 kg 150.0 kg

87.4 76.7 11

87.4 Mj / kg 76.7 Mj / kg 11 Mj / kg

2h 2b 6h

4.356 0.08424 2.7

4.356 Mj 0.1944 Mj 2.7 Mj

8.712 0.16848 16.2

8.712 0.3888 16.2

28 h

28.8

28.8 Mj

806.4

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0

75

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995.328

Cleaning

05_Substrate Prep 5

Material

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Processing

Water Mixing (Hand)

100 hrs

06_Pasteurisation 6 _1

Material Turkey Bag

6 _2

0.3 kg

250

250 Mj / kg

Processing Kiln

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41.472

41.472 Mj

Transport (Walking)

07_Innoculation 7 _1

Material Ethanol H202 Adhesive Cotton Breathing strips

2 _2

1 Kg

125

125 Mj / kg

125

125

2.8 kg

125

125 Mj / kg

350

350

0.005

100

100 Mj / kg

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0.2

55

11

11

80

0.0002

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0

55

Processing Mold filling ( Hand ) Transport to incubation

08_Climatisation 2 _2

Processing Oil Heater

300 h

1.8

5.4 Mj

540

1620

09_Post Process 2 _2

Processing Kiln Drying

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41.472

41.472 Mj

995.328

995.328

Dehumdifier

36

5

5 Mj

180

180

7615.2

9527.4

72.53

90.74

heater Compression

Results

2 _2

Total Kiln Drying

986.145 Embodied Energy

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02 MYCELIUM Mechanical Performance Research Mycology materials have only recently begun to be explored as an engineering material, and thus far research into their mechanical properties has been very limited.

Recent studies into mechanical performance of mycelium structures has shown the material performing similar to open-cell foams.

Understanding mycelium as a composite material composed of a mycelium matrix with reinforcing short wood fibers allows us to predict its behaviour. “A foam is a three dimensional (3D) array of cells forming a cellular solid, such as cork, polyurethane foam, or even bread. Open-cell specifies that the cells have no cell walls, only beams forming cell edges. Liquids and gases can pass more freely through an open-cell

* UC Berkeley Mycology Matrix Composites ASC Conference Paper

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foam than a closed-cell, as is required for gas exchange within biological organisms. Foams behave differently in tension and compression, and the stress-strain curve also varies depending on the solid material.�* While the mycelium material is considered open-celled for gaseous exchange, it is biological in nature and may have non-uniform areas of closed-cell architecture, suggesting local geometry of the cell walls may affect the mechanical performance.

Previous studies of fiber-reinforced foams mention the importance of adhesion between the fiber and the foam material. Considering that the fibers used here double as a feedstock for mycelium, adhesion is expected to be strong and consistent.

The stress-strain response, as seen in the graph presented undeneath, of the material under a tensile load was seen to follow the expected

MYCELIUM pattern for an elastic-plastic material: a linearelastic region up to a 0.2% offset yield point of 176kPa, a negligible plateau region, and finally plastic deformation until brittle fracture at 15kPa. As expected for a foam matrix, deformation was followed by crushing of the foam cells, in this case the struts of the mycelium hyphae architecture, with densification seen as a sharp increase of stress to strain. As load increases, the struts of the cell walls begin to collapse.

The collapse of the cells, and thus material, continues approximately constantly until the opposing cell walls meet, causing the stress response to increase sharply, identified as densification. The material stiffness in compression was calculated as 1.0MPa, using the elastic, proportional region of the graph in Figure 8 prior to the compressive yield at 47.5kPa. The ultimate compressive strength of 490kPa proved considerably higher than the UTS.

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process including toxic foaming agents.

Carbon-neutral sandwich composites could be created using the sustainable mycelium material as a foam core with fiber-reinforced panel skins (ideally likewise sustainably made of eco-resins and natural fibers). Laminate panels can be adhered or permanently attached to the mycelium blocks, creating a sandwich panel, similar to bamboo laminate panels combined with a polymer foam core.

When compared to commonly used polymer foam materials as summarized in Table III, the mycelium material had an average density and strength comparable to polymer foams, indicating properties closest to Polystyrene expanded foam. While the mycelium material is not comparable to the mechanical performance of a metal foam, the material has the advantages of being a naturally occurring, sustainably produced and free from toxic manufacturing

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02 MYCELIUM TECTONIC PREDENT Phil Ross When Phil Ross works with mycelium, the process of innoculation and colonisation are quite different from his peers. Ross allows the mycelium of Ganoderma Lucidum to partially colonise unformed polyethylene bags of substrate. after a period of time the mix is agitated removed and used to fill the negative of a mould.

The material is hand compacted into the mould and then removed and allow to grow in a incubation chamber. An incubation chamber is a hermetically sealed environment in which temperature humidity and air quality can be closely monitored. Ross uses this mehtod not only to ensure a homogenci citinious skin.

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MYCELIUM

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of circular towers made out of prismatic organic and reflective bricks.

The organic bricks were produced in collaboration with Ecovative using a combination of corn stalks and mycelium, which helped create an almost no waste manufacturing process, except for the metallic and wood elements added to support the structure.

The composition used for the brick included oak pellet fuel, oat bran and gypsum.

Ecovative & The Living Hy-Fi Biodegradable Tower Designed by David Benjamin of The Living , the Hy-Fi Biodegradable Tower was this year’s winner of MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program Competition.

Taking into consideration hurricane conditions in New York, several measures were taken such as increasing the surface of the base or retaining the scaffolding planks to limit the amount of movement in the wind. The resulting structure can resist over 65mph gusts.

Being asked to design a temporary urban landscape the proposal put forward a cluster

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02 MYCELIUM SPECIES : Experiment 1 & 2 Ostreatus Pleurotus

Grow Conditions

The prototypic Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus has long been a favorite of mushroom hunters, especially in the spring time in lowland, hardwood forests. A prolific producer on a wide array of substrates, strains of this species are plentiful and easy to grow. Enjoying a worldwide reputation, specimens of extraordinary size have been collected from the wild.

Spawn Run:

Mycelial Characteristics:

Initiation Temperature: Relative Humidity: Duration: CO2: Fresh Air Exchanges: Light Requirements:

Incubation Temperature: 24* C Relative Humidity: 90-95% Duration: 12-16 days CO2: 5000-20,000 ppm Fresh Air Exchanges: 1 per hour Light Requirements: n/a Primordia Formation:

Whitish, longitudinally radical, soon becoming cottony, and in age forming a thick, tenacious mycelial mat. Aged mycelium often secretes yellowish to orangish droplets of a metabolite which is a toxin to nematodes.

Fruitbody Development: This metabolite deserves greater study.

Suggested Agar Culture Media: Malt Yeast Peptone Agar (MYPA), Potato Dextrose Yeast Agar (PDYA), Oatmeal Yeast Agar (OMYA), or Dogfood Agar (DFA).

Optimal growth seen at pH 5.5-6.5.

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10-15* C 95-100% 4-5 days 500-1000 ppm 4-8 per hour 500-1000 lux

Temperature: 15-21* C Relative Humidity: 85-90% Duration: 4-8 days CO2: <2000 ppm Fresh Air Exchanges: 4-5 per hour Light Requirements: 500-1000 lux

MYCELIUM

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SPECIES : Experiment 3 & 4 & 5 Ganoderma Lucidum

Growth Conditions

Ganoderma lucidum has been used medicinally be diverse peoples for centuries. The Japanese call this mushroom Reishi or Nammentake (10,000 Year Mushroom) . Renowned for its health stimulating properties, this mushroom is more often depicted in ancient Chinese, Korean, and Japanese art than any other. Ling Chi is traditionally associated with royalty, health, and recuperation, longevity, wisdom, and happiness.

Ling Chi has been depicted in royal tapestries, often portrayed with renowned sages of the era.

Spawn Run:

Mycelial Characteristics:

Initiation Temperature: 18-24* C Relative Humidity: 95-100% Duration: 14-28 days CO2: 20,000-40,000 ppm Fresh Air Exchanges: 0-1/hr Light Requirements: 4-8 h at 200-500 lux

Longitudinally radial, non-aerial, initially white, rapid growing, becoming densely matted & appressed, yellow to golden brown, and often zonate with age. Some strains produce a brown hymenophore on MEA. A 1 cm. square inoculum colonizes a 100x15 mm.

Petri plate in 7-10 days at 75* F (24* C). Soon after a petri plate is colonized (2 weeks from inoculation), the mycelium becomes difficult to cut and typically tears during transfer. Culture slants can be stored for periods of 5 years at 35* F (1-2* C).

Incubation Temperature: 21-27* C Relative Humidity: 95-100% Duration: 10-20 days CO2: 50,000 ppm Fresh Air Exchanges: 0-1/hr Light Requirements: n/a Primordia (“Antler”) Formation:

Primordia (“Young Conk”) Formation: Temperature: Relative Humidity: Duration: CO2: Fresh Air Exchanges: Light Requirements:

21-27* C 95-100% 14-28 days 2000-5000 ppm As per CO2 12 h on/off 750-1500 lux.

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Introduction The mycelium of Pleurotus Ostreatus has a tenacious fast growing mycelial network that makes ideally suited for application as a insulation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lightweight properties, high R-value and fire-retardancy add to the potential of this material being used as an open cell insulation that does not require any longchain petrochemical polymers for adhesion. Experiments 1 & 2 will present an investigation into this material growth parameters such as substrate mixtures, geometric configurations, climatisation and growth stages.

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EXPERIMENT 1 : TEST BOX

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03 EXPERIMENT 1 : TEST BOX The experiment was started on the 8th confinement of the conditions given by the December 2014 and was conducted in space and available resources. the caretakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unit, 6th floor, London Metropolitan University, Central House.

The process involved soaking the straw and hemp substrate in water of temperature A smaller room has thus been chosen in varying from 60 to 80 C for a period of 1 order to facilitate easy control over growing hour and a half, followed by a drying and conditions and an achieving an enclosed cooling time of 2 hours. sterile environment.To avoid contamination of the spawn, the room has undergone The challenges of quick water temperature a thorough cleaning process, which has swifts, water source being one floor below been repeated at the start of each working and draining have been overcome through day, together with a pre-sterilisation of any the use of a water barrel, heavy duty steel object brought into the environment. container, kettles, and a drying system which interlocked a bench, pierced films The following procedures have been carried and a gutter into one self-sustaining during one day for the aproximate time of mechanism.

10 hours.

Moving on to the phase of mould filling, the The first step involved both members in the dried substrate was mixed with mycelium, preparation of the polyethlene sheets that with each member managing one element will be used to seal the growing component. of the mixture. This was divided into six These were cut to size and sterlised with wooden boxes lined with polyethylene Isopropyl alcohol, applied with a pulverising sheets which were afterwards sealed. A spray bottle. controled oxygenation was created through the creation of a longitudinal 50mm cut to The second phase of substrate pasteurisation which a medical plaster has been applied. has raised questions of working within the

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EXPERIMENT 1 : TEST BOX

03

Size: 200x150x200 mm Composition: 60% Straw 40% Mycelium Application: layered Sample 1.1 | week 1, week 3 Conclusion We found the mycelium to colonise at a faster rate when layered.

We had an issue with all of the moulds inoculated as the University was closed over the Christmas and there was no way of ensuring adequate temperature. We also found that due to over hydration small pools of water were forming at the bottom of the bag. This resulted in a poor colonisation.

No contamination was found at any part of the inoculation Size: 200x150x200 mm Composition: 60% Straw 40% Mycelium Application: mixed

Sample 1.2 | week 1, week 3 Conclusion We found growth to be reduced in this sample. This we believe is due to the distribution of mycelium and the inadequate temperatures.

Sample 1.3 | week 1, week 3

Size: 200x150x200 mm Composition: 30% Hemp 30% Straw 40% Mycelium Application: layered 1 unit mycelium - 1 unit straw - 2 unit hemp

Conclusion We found that after pasteurising the material was still quite dry.

It is also difficult to find the manufacturing process that this material went through.

The mycelium grew between the holes of the material however, it did not have the same type of adhesion that was observed with the generic substrate.

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03 EXPERIMENT 1 : TEST BOX

Sample 1.5 | Week 4, bamboo detail. Week 4 skin Conclusion

Size: 200x150x200 mm Composition: 60% Straw 40% Mycelium Application: layered bamboo sticks have been added to to test mycelium reaction to possible reinforcement grown within substrate

We found that there was little to no adhesion between the substrate and bamboo do to the smooth surface. The placing of the bamboo was also difficult and inaccurate as there was no lateral restraint to hold it in place.

OF all the boxes we tested this was the only one to be contaminated. Small spots of green mould were visible in the upper parts of the bamboo.

The final produce was firm after being allowed to air dry. The volume of the substrate may also have acted as an insulator encouraging growth on the inside.

Size 80x80x1000 Plastic sheet tube Composition: 60% Straw 40% Mycelium Application: layered

Sample 2.1 | week 6, week 4 after agitation, week 6 after kiln Conclusion This proved to be the most successful of our experiments. The internal mixture agitated and mixed after 2 weeks and then compressed by hand in the third week.

By inverting the chitin skin and dispersing the mycelium a more consistent homogeneous material was formed. Mycelium growth on the inside was far more consistent than any other samples.

The sample was then placed in a kiln at 180 degrees for 2 hours to test itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heat resistance and to halt the growth process through denaturing.

There was an issues with growth towards the bottom of the bag which could be due to insufficient oxygen supplies or a build up of moisture.

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EXPERIMENT 1 : TEST BOX

03

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EXPERIMENT 3 : WEAVE MODULE 28

EXPERIMENT 2 : WEAVE MODULE

04

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04 EXPERIMENT 3 : WEAVE MODULE Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn Application layered Sample 3.1 | week 3, week 4 Conclusion It was found that by encasing the mycelium and growth medium the mycelium had the tendency to seek oxygen in turn filling the folds and crevices in the plastic with mycelium. When the moulds eventually started pinning the plastic tore and the mushroom pins broke through and started to fruit.

Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn Application layered Sample 3.2 | week 3, week 4 Conclusion A thick health skin of mycelium formed on the bottom of the mould in the air gap. The geometry of the final piece suffered from rounded due to the initial tightness of the bag.

Again clumping of mycelium was found in the folds of the plastic. This is indicative of a lack of oxygen during the pinning stage. The mushroom is trying to escape the hostile environment by releasing as many spores as possible.

Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn

Sample 3.3 | week 3, week 4 Conclusion This mould had a thick but almost diaphanous layer of mycelium on top. Geometric cohesion was good, however some of the mycelium tore when it was removed from the mould. It is advisable that the sample dry slightly before being removed from the mould in the future.

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Application layered

EXPERIMENT 3 : WEAVE MODUL3

04

Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn Application layered Sample 3.4 | week 3, week 4 Conclusion It was very apparent that the extra air changes created a condition in which pinning formed more aggressively. This type of growth is undesirable as it reduces the concentration of the mycelium adhesion to the substrate. The geometry in this sample was sharp in places and adhered to the shape of the mould.

Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn Application layered Sample 3.5 | week 4, week 4 detail Conclusion This method produced a good skin with relative consistency throughout. The double bagging in this instance seemed to reduce the effects of the cold shock that was experienced by the other samples this is apparent in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s localised growth and reduction in aggressive pinning.

Composition 6 part Straw 4 part Sawdust 1 part O. Pleurotus Grain Spawn Sample 3.6 + 3.7| week 6 adhesion week Conclusion

Application layered

The adhesion between the 2 elements created a bond stronger than any other part of the experiments. It could be seen that in areas of direct contact growth was the deneset. In proximitous areas the hyphae had a tendency to be lighter and less dense.

By allowing the entirety of the surface to be in direct contact with oxygen a thick skin of mycelium formed ubiquitously around the surface.

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04 EXPERIMENT 3: WEAVE MODULE GEOMETRIC ENQUIRY Building the mould

Mould & Observations The process of making the moulds allowed for too much movement and casued cracks to form in the later parts of the growth. The mycelium fruited much faster than expected, this could be due to cold shocking. A process where the mycclium produces primoordal antlers in a adverse temperatures. The fruiting bodies were also indicative of issues with the micro climate of the sealed bags. The lengthening of the fruiting stem is normally cased by increased amounts of CO2, as mycelium perspires CO2 and respires Oxygen in the same way humans. This lack of Oxygen showed a prompted growth of Mycelium however could be damaging to mycelial formation of anastomising hyphae in the later parts of the growth. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yâ&#x20AC;? gemoetries resulted to be too thin to be used in the way initially intended.

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EXPERIMENT 3 : WEAVE MODULE

04

Aggregated weave: Individual elements placed in a woven pattern to utilise the self assembling nature of mycelium

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Introduction The mycelium of Ganoderma Lucidum presents characteristics of strength, lightness and compressive resistance that create a potential for its use within the building environment industry.

Experiments 5 & 6 will present an investigation into the integration of this material within different geometric configurations with final aim of testing the mechanical and environmental performance of the composite.

Composition Raw material per 1 brick Ratio Volume Sawdust 4 0.01 m3 Straw Oat bran 1 0.003 m3 Gypsum 0.5 0.0015 m3 H2O2 1 0.003 m3 Mycelium

2/3(0.66)

0.002 m3

EXPERIMENT 5 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

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05 EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK GEOMETRIC ENQUIRY Brick design & typology 215

162

300

215

220

182

L

B

C

D

K

A

S

T

(62 mm)

(95 mm)

(112 mm)

(129 mm)

(145 mm)

(162 mm)

(Side inclination)

(Top inclination)

The design reinterprets the brick to respond to the specific requirements of the material. First, the hexagonal form allows for multiple points of selfbinding in between modules and a more complex load distribution.

Second, the different aperture allows us to meet the restriction of maximum 170mm for optimum growth whilst also responding to the programmatic and environmental needs of the design. Thus, the specific openings and locations within the wall are also dictated by needs of privacy, shading and passive ventilation according to their location within the prototype.

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EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

05

GEOMETRIC ENQUIRY Building the mould

Step 1 MDF CNC to size and geometry

Step 5 Moulds are ready to vacum form Step 2 MDF pieces glued together to acquire the needed 3 dimensional geometry

Step 6 Each of the 12 mould configurations has been vacum formed according to the digital model distribution

Step 3 Inclination created. Bricks needed to be cut in half to meet the vacum forming machine size requirements

Step 3 Moulds sanded and draft angle created.

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05 EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK GROWTH PROCESS

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EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

05

RESEARCH

Sample LT 5.1 | week 5, week 7, week 8 Conclusion We found growth to be slow but consistent for the first four weeks. Sample presents heavy due to the moisture retained, but does not loose substrate when removed from the mould. Transition to soft mould bears no contamination, producing a final result of continous mycelia skin to the outer and inner parts. Air drying process currently awaiting final observations.

Sample BS 5.2 | week 5, week 6,week 7 Conclusion The current sample showed initial localised development of trichoderma, possibly due to air or equipment contamination during the inoculation process. We found, however, mycelia gained enough network robustness to fight against the contaminant, resulting in a complete colonisation with good air drying performance.

Sample DT 5.3 | week 4, week 7 Conclusion Sample presents localised but increased trichoderma. Measures were taken during the fourth week in stabilising the sample through the use of hydrogen peroxide. This method proved effective resulting in complete development of mycelia. Caution should be given when applying the hydrogen peroxide as this can inhibit the desired living organism growth as well.

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05 EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

Sample LS 5.4 | week 4, week 7 Conclusion Sample shows initial trichoderma, localised and treated. Growth in soft mould develops uncharacteristics signs of mycelia grey coating of hard leather consistency. The phenomena is inconsistent in coverage and was found in 5 samples, attributed to the location within the climatisation room. Though cause is to be determined, through further research, this presents properties to be harnessed in developing a more performant composite envelope.

Sample CS 5.5 | week 5, week 7 Conclusion We found though presenting good initial growth, sample presented a tendancy to tear when being removed from hard mould. This was attributed to a dry consistency of the substrate during the pasteurisation process. The pieces were reattached resulting in a good adhesion with no visible damage to the end product.

Sample CT 5.6 | week 5, week 6 Conclusion We found sample to develop different levels of growth due to storage into different containers. This did not affect the final outcome, resulting in a internal regulation of growth when left in contact for the second phase of the process.

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EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

05

Sample KT 5.7 | week 5, week 7 Conclusion Sample presented good initial growth. Stronger retention of moisture was noticed at mould transfer. This didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect the development of the mycelia network. However, inconsistencies in the air drying process were noticed in the form of brown patches with lowered adhesion qualities.

Sample BS 5.8 | week 5, week 7 Conclusion Sample presented good initial growth, but acquired contamination during the mould transfer phase. We believe insufficient mycelia growth due to climatic conditions in second stage created a lower resistance against the conflicting organism. Though good expansion can be observed in secluded areas, the sample was rendered ineffective at week 7.

Sample 5.9 | week 5 Conclusion 45% of the samples presented contamination in week 5. Extensive trichoderma inhibited further mycelia growth. This resulted either in tear when being removed from the hard mould or inability to localise conflicting body or treat.

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05 EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

MODEL - FINAL STAGE As individual bricks have reached full grown potential, the bricks are placed into final position.

To allow a natural self-binding process, the bricks were left to air dry for 5 days being supported during this time with the use of small bamboo reinforcement.

Furthermore, wooden moulds were reused as a base for the model in order to stabilise the structure and provide a stronger base.

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EXPERIMENT 4 : HEXAGONAL BRICK

05

SUPPORTING DRAWINGS The design previously described will be applied speculatively as partition walls to the study room area of the Solar Decathlon prototype.

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44

45

46

47

48

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Introduction The strain of Ganoderma Lucidum mycelia has shown to develop a composite with characteristics of density, strength and compresive resistance which can have potential for application in the building industry.

Following from the last experiment, it was observed that the upstanding structure could benefit from additional internal support for increased stability.

This experiment applies the binding qualities tested in Experiment 3 to create a mycelium panel wall that binds around the given structure. Furhtermore, as the material can be moulded into any desired shape, the experiment proposes an uneven geometry testing the tear and support of different geometries. This will be further agreggated to meet the functional requirements of the SDLAC prototype.

EXPERIMENT 6 : PANEL

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06 EXPERIMENT 5 : PANEL GEOMETRIC ENQUIRY Panel design & typology

A variable pattern was chosen for each individual panel aiming to test an amptitude of binding points between the material, together with evaluating the limits of extrusion.

As soon as the climatisation stage is over, the panels will slot into the given frame one by one and left outside simultaneously bind and air dry.

We found the intricacy of the mould to be challenging due to the need to take on a different geometry simultaneously on all 3 axis. This was achieved through moulding the form in stages. It is recommended that the fixing mechanism of the panels to the frame is adapted as per details below.

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EXPERIMENT 5 : PANEL

06

GEOMETRIC ENQUIRY Building the mould

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06 EXPERIMENT 5 : PANEL

All samples showed a good growth throughout the process. No contamination was observed/ Shallow geometry has a tendancy of loosing its definition through the multiple transfers.Mycelial network developed robust and consistent, except the the 1 thin sample that was teared during transfer.

Further observations and results await the finalising of the post-processing stage.

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EXPERIMENT 5 : PANEL

06

55

56

57

58

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07 DETAIL: SPECULATIVE

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DETAIL: SPECULATIVE

07

2

Sketch details 1 & 2 & 3 show speculative connection evaluation of a floor slab - supporting wall / partition / partition within the context of Solar Decathlon Prototype.

3

Sketch details 4 & 5 & 6 show possible panel to panel connections, through interlocking pieces, wooden biscuits or additional tighetning of weaker points.

4

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THINK MYCELIUM

DID YOU KNOW? The entomopathogenic fungus Metharhizium (Cordyceps) and Beauvaria has been found to have the ability of killing insects.

Pattened by Paul Stamets in 2011, his method presents a non-sporing mycelium that can exterminate carpenter ants, fire ants or termites.

After they eat it, the tiny mushroom roots continue growing inside the insects, to the point where they die and become mummified. Furthermore, mushrooms then sprout through their bodies and emit spores that repel other future predators.

Could you have a almost permanent solution for the re-invasion of termites?

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