MASTER IN ADvANCED ARCHITECTURE Design With Nature
2014/15 meta_genesis RESEARCH
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BARCELONA
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MASTER IN ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE Project Title: meta_Genesis
Research Studio: design with nature program: Maa_01
Faculty: Javier Pena - Rodrigo Rubio Faculty Assistant: Oriol Carrasco Assistant: Alessio Verdolino
Felipe Agudelo Neel Kaul Shashank Shahabadi
Barcelona
INDEX 01 .......Begining
01 l 1 ......Metabolic Phylogenesis
02 .......Intention
02 l 1 .......Bio-Degradable
03 .......Valldaura
03 | 1 ........Material Phylogenesis
04 ...... Latex
04 | 1 ........Latex Phylogenesis
04 | 2 ........Material Palette
04 | 3 ........Material Tests
05 ......Mycelium 06 ......Skin 07 ......Project
07 | 1 ........Site Analysis
07 | 2 ........Proposal Plan 08 ......Structure 09 ......Conclusion 10 ......References
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OPENING
The intension of the studio was to focus on the living/ natural materials and how we can increase the properties or efficiency of the materials by selecting them through a process of phylogenesis within the metabolic range. The initial framework of the project was a pure material research in which we blend different natural materials based on their properties and we test them on different parameters. There after we noticed that the materials had evolved to a grater extent in terms of controlling the temprature, water resistance, increased tensile strength and even has a scope of agricultural production. After the culmination of all the research and tests the selected materials proved efficient to be applied as an exterior skin or could be a possible replacement to green house or could be layer to collect surface run-off water in sloppy terrain. The research even gave us a possibility to use this material as alightweight block for construction. In terms of building architecture the future idea for this project would be enhance its properties in making it into a lightweight construction block for the buildings of human scale.
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re_ruined hiroshima_arata isozaki
# 01
begining Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creativity or in the darkness of destruction.
“Once there was a nation that went to war, but after they conquered a continent their own country was destroyed by atom bombs... then the victors imposed democracy on the vanquished. For a group of apprentice architects, artists, and designers, led by a visionary, the dire situation of their country was not an obstacle but an inspiration to plan and think… although they were very different characters, the architects worked closely together to realize their dreams, staunchly supported by a super-creative bureaucracy and an activist state... after 15 years of incubation, they surprised the world with a new architecture—Metabolism—that proposed a radical makeover of the entire land... Then newspapers, magazines, and TV turned the architects into heroes: thinkers and doers, thoroughly modern men… Through sheer hard work, discipline, and the integration of all forms of creativity, their country, Japan, became a shining example... when the oil crisis initiated the end of the West, the architects of Japan spread out over the world to define the contours of a post-Western aesthetic....” —Rem Koolhaas / Hans Ulrich Obrist
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METABOLIC DESIGN PROCESS Solar Active Bio Fuel
The Beginning
Soil
The research line process has been defined by a phylogenesis process to broaden the scope of the design studio. The metabolic pixel has been broken down into its two major components to understand and study different examples inspired by nature. Taking example from the birth of metabolism in architecture, this chart forms the genesis of all the further experimentation and research.
Catabolic Process
Organic
Natural
Passive Fossil
Wind Dynamic
Tidal Fall
Process Information Information Process Transmition Ar Form Organic Function Material Process Form Inorganic Function
Resources
Ecology
Components
Anabolic Process
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Bio-degrad Notes: Metabolism is a set of processes performed by the living beings that allow them to interchange matter and energy with their environment. The phase that consists of the disintegration of complex or-
PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPES
The Beast-Theo Jansen
Stuttgart Pavilion 2013 - 14-ICD/ITKE
Design with Nature
EastGate Building - Mick Pearce
Seed Cathedral - Heatherwick Studio
dable Process
Brick Mycelium Tower - The Living
ganic compound to release energy is known as catabolism, whereas the phase that consists of the arrangement of organic compounds from simpler compounds to store energy is called anabolism.
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Items that break down over time naturally, like food scraps or paper, are BIODEGRADABLE. Most biodegradable items are made from animals or plants, but some artificial materials designed to mimic these organic substances can also degrade over time. When the environment--air, sunlight, water or ground soil substances--cannot break down the waste, it is considered non-biodegradable. These products have a longer-lasting effect on the environment. Lifespan of Materials If an item is biodegradable, it does not mean that it will break down quickly. A banana peel degrades in two months, while notebook paper will break down in three months. Harder substances take longer. Soda cans can take up to 350 years, while the plastic rings that hold together a six-pack of those cans can take up to 450 years. Glass bottles and styrofoam products might never biodegrade. The danger is that products that do not biodegrade will continue to pile up over time, requiring more and more land devoted to holding waste. Effects on the Land The planet has a limited amount of land, and people waste it when they dispose of non-biodegradable materials. Products that do not decompose naturally may reside in landfills and take up space much longer than biodegradable materials. When people litter, some non-biodegradable trash may not even make it into landfills. Instead, it may make its way into forests, parks, fields, and the sea. Styrofoam, also known as foamed polystyrene, is a non-biodegradable substance that can cause environmental problems when it becomes litter. For instance, styrene, a neurotoxin at high doses, can leach out of polystyrene materials when temperatures climb. Contaminated Ground Water Long-term exposure to air, light and water can cause synthetic materials like plastic to emit toxic pollutants. Plastics, which are petroleum-based, contain toxins that can leach into water supplies. Low doses of Bisphenol A--a chemical used in water bottles, food containers and hard plastics--leach into foods and water over time and are carcinogenic, cause insulin resistance and interfere with conception.
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Effects on Marine Life Non-biodegradable plastic containers in oceans and estuaries can harm fish, seabirds and other marine life. Animals that eat plastic can strangle or experience digestion problems. Microplastics, tiny bits of polypropylene or polyethylene, hide beneath the water and pose a risk as well. Outgassing Plastic pollutes the air in much the same way it taints water supplies. Constant exposure to heat melts plastic, emitting gases into the atmosphere in a process known as outgassing. According to the conservation website Mindfully, incinerating plastic causes toxic fumes to be released into the atmosphere. The same problem happens with plastics exposed to constant sunlight. Biodegradation: Microorganisms at Work When something is biodegradable, soil, air or moisture decompose it so that it becomes part of the land. Bacteria, fungi and other decomposers break down dead organisms in a natural process that keeps dead material from covering the planet. While most biodegradable substances consist of animal or plant material, humans can create products that decompose, such as egg cartons and paper bags. If a company produces biodegradable plastic, decomposers break down the plastic’s complex organic molecules into simpler inorganic compounds.
# 02 intention Train tickets
2 weeks
Paper Towel
3 weeks
Orange or Banana Peel
3 weeks
Newspaper
6 weeks
Apple Core
2 months
Cardboard
2 months
Waxed milk carton
3 months
Cotton Glove
3 months
Ropes
5 months
Canvas products
1 year
Plywood
2 years
Wool Sock
3 years
Natural Latex
5 years
Cigarette Butts
10 years
Lumber
12 years
Painted board
13 years
Plastic Bag
15 years
Plastic Film Container
25 years
Leather shoes
35 years
Nylon Fabric
35 years
Foamed Plastic Cups
50 years
Leather
50 years
Tin can
50 years
Rubber-Boot Sole
65 years
Rubber-Boot Sole
65 years
Foamed Plastic Buoy
80 years
Batteries
100 years
Aluminum cans
200 years
Plastic Beverage Bottles
450 years
Sanitary Pads
500 years
Monofilament Fishing Line 600 years
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Bio-Degradable Every year, between five and 13 million more tons of plastics wind up in the world’s oceans and a whopping 80 percent of that waste pours in from just 20 countries. China is the most egregious offender, discarding nearly 30 percent of the world’s ocean-bound plastics, according to a new country-by-country analysis of plastic trash in the sea published Thursday by Science. No matter where it comes from, these plastics kill thousands of seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals each year. Discarded bottles and packaging containers can also leak chemicals such as bisphenol A, which could be consumed by fish and eventually cause health problems for consumers. The economic cost of such pollution runs high, too -- communities in California spend at least $428 million a year combating litter and clearing trash from their beaches, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. These problems are likely to only get worse unless something changes, the authors of the newly published analysis say.
Thus it was important to focus on the researh line in the direction on bio-degradable substances. The functionality of the substance be inspired by the forces of nature and eventually decipates and degrades into the nature. This forbed the basis of this research.
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plastic waste in global waters
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# 03 valldaura Iaac’s Valldaura Campus is set in the woody area on the north of Barcelona. The estate is located in the municipality of Cerdanyola, on the flank of the Collserola Natural Park. Valldaura ia a place to learn directly from nature and understand its uniqueness to realise solutions.
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material phylogenesis
TREE EXTRACTS/ PLANTS
MATERIAL SELECTION
FROM EARTH
ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTS
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MATERIALS
MIXES
LATEX + MARBLE PEBBLES
50
%
50%
50% 50%
70
%
30%
LATEX +ALGAE
LATEX + MARBLE DUST
%
%
LATEX +SAW DUST
LATEX ACTS AS A GOOD BINDER AND MIXES WELL WITH ALL THE MATERIALS. THE COMPOSITES ARE FLEXIBLE AND HAVE A GOOD TENSILE STRENGTH. IT IS OBSERVED THAT IS IS RESISTANT TO HEAT, WATER AND TEMPERATURE AND IS RESISTANT TO CONTAMINATION.
MATERIALS WITH LATEX
50
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Iaac’s Valdaura Campus served as the context for material selection. This list has been made based on the materials available in the area and formed a source of inspiration for other naturally occuring substances. It has been mixed in certain proportions to explore a new combination of different natural materials. The mixing has been done with a liquid and a soild or a semi solid substances.
70 %
30%
LATEX + CRUSED MARBLE
50%
50%
LATEX + WOOL
25% 50%
25%
LATEX + SAWDUST + CLAY
%
40
20%
40%
ANIMAL GLUE + WAX + JUTE
ANIMAL GLUE + WOOL 20% %
%
20
60
ANIMAL GLUE + WOOL + SAW DUST
MATERIALS WITH ANIMAL GLUE
30 % 70%
ANIMAL GLUE ACTS AS GOOD BINDER BUT CURES FAST, HENCE MAKING THE COMPOSITE VERY RIGID AND HAS A VERY POOR TESIILE STRENGTH. IT CONTAMINATES EASILY AND OVER TIME BECOMES WEAK. BUT SINCE IT CURES VERY FAST IT CAN BE USED AS A BINDER FOR OTHER
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Why Latex? Natural Rubber Latex has a large stretch ratio and high resilience, and is extremely waterproof. It resists heat and is easily bio-degradable. Natural rubber is used extensively in many applications and products, either alone or in combination with other materials. Latex is a mixture of organic compounds produced by some plants in special cells called caticifers. The composition of latex differs from plant to plant. Most natural rubber comes from a single species of tree, Hevea brasiliensis. Though native to South America, H. brasiliensis is planted in large plantations in southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Rubber trees take around 5 years to grow from a seedling to maturity, or a point that it can start to produce rubber. It has an economic life of about 25 to 30 years. Trees are tapped by removing thin strips of bark, which disrupts the laticifers. The latex then flows down grooves cut in the tree and drips into collection cups. After natural latex is processed, it becomes a rubber with excellent mechanical properties. It has excellent tensile, elongation, tear resistance and resilience. It has good abrasion resistance and excellent low temperature flexibility. However, without special additives, it has poor resistance to ozone, oxygen, sunlight and heat. It has poor resistance to solvents and petroleum products. Useful temperature range is -67ยบ F to +180ยบ F (-55ยบ C to +82ยบ C). It is the high resistance to tear and its superb resiliance over synthetic rubber that makes it still being used by medical doctors and surgeons all over the world.
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# 04 LATEX After several mixtures latex proved to be a better material to work with as it mixed with various other materials easily. It took the least amount of time to solidify and was easier to manage. Natural Latex is Bio-degradable and depending on the thickness and combination it degrades into the nature in 5 months to 5 years.
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THE MIXES
LATEX + MARBLE PEBBLES
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=
LATEX + CRUSHED MARBLE
+
=
LATEX + MARBLE DUST
VARIOUS mixes with LATEX
+
=
LATEX + ALGAE
+
=
LATEX + SAWDUST
+
=
LATEX + WOOL
+
=
LATEX + CLAY
+
=
LATEX + STONE DUST 22
+
=
OBSERVATIONS
PROPERTIES
THIS DIN’T MIX WELL. THE COMPOSITE DISINTEGRATES WHEN APPLIED TO THE TENSILE FORCES.
ELASTICITY
THE COMPOSITE DOES NOT PERFORM WELL WITH HEAT AND TEMPRATURE.
TRANSPERANCY
THE COMPOSITE MIXES WELL AND HAS A GOOD RESISTANCE TO THE TENSILE FORCES BUT HAS A LOW TRANPARENCY.
MATERIAL STRENGTH
THE COMPOSITE DOES NOT MIX WELL. IT HAS A VERY LOW TENSILE STRENGH, IT DETEORATES VERY FAST AND HAS VERY POOR THERMAL RESISTANCE
FLEXIBILITY
THE COMPOSITE MIXES WELL AND HAS A GOOD RESISTANCE TO THE TENSILE FORCES AND HAS A GOOD THERMAL RESISTANCE.
HEAT STRENGTH
THE COMPOSITE DOES NOT MIX WELL. IT HAS A VERY LOW TENSILE STRENGH AND VERY LOW RESISTANCE TO HEAT.
AMALGAMATION
THE COMPOSITE SHOWS PERFORMS WELL HAS STRONG BONDING BETWEEN THE THREE COMPONENTS, HAS STONG TENSILE STRENGTH.
WATER - RESISTANT
STONE POWDER MIXED WLL WITH LATEX. SLIGHT DISTORTION WAS OBSERVED AFTER THE STRETCH.
DEFORMATION
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THE MATERIAL PALETTE
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1
2
3
6
5
7
7
8
9
10
11
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Latex, Saw Dust, clay A& stone dustC B After testing various mixes of latex, based on their efficiency and combining strength, sawdust, clay and stone dust were chosen to be put in certain proportions to get the desired material. A basic material palette with different materials were made based on the mixing propotions by diiferent volumes. The 12 mixes gave improved results. Each material based on thickness and proportion performed differently. My increasing or decreasing a certain parameter the strength, thermal properties and elasticity varied. Hence this chart forms a catalogue for further research.
D
1 2
Phy
MATERIAL COMPOSITION Material Characteristic
3 Mix
4
Thickness
Deformatio
5 6
1
Latex
2 mm
3cm
7
2
Latex
5 mm
2cm
3
Latex 100ml Sawdust 50gr
2 mm
2cm
4
Latex 100ml Sawdust 50gr
5 mm
1.5cm
5
Latex 100ml Clay 50gr
2 mm
3cm
6
Latex 100ml Clay 50gr
5 mm
2cm
7
Latex 100ml Clay 25gr
2 mm
3.5cm
8
Latex 100ml Clay 25gr
5 mm
2.5cm
9
Latex 100gr Stonedust 50gr
2 mm
3cm
10
Latex 100ml Stoneust 50gr
5 mm
2cm
11
Latex 110ml Sawdust 100gr
2 mm
2.5cm
12
Latex 110ml Sawdust 100gr
5 mm
1.5cm
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
MAXIMUM MINIMUM
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material tests
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AA
BB
22
CC
MaterialCharacteristic Characteristic Material
DD
Mix Mix
FF
Ther Therm
PhysicalProperties Properties Physical
33 44
EE
Thickness Thickness
Deformation Deformation
Elasticity/ /original original Elasticity S Thermaltransfer transfer Thermal size10 10cm cm size
55 66
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Latex Latex
mm 22mm
3cm 3cm
35cm 35cm
42° 42°
77
22
Latex Latex
mm 55mm
2cm 2cm
30cm 30cm
34° 34°
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Latex100ml 100ml Latex Sawdust50gr 50gr Sawdust
mm 22mm
2cm 2cm
27.5cm 27.5cm
34° 34°
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Latex100ml 100ml Latex Sawdust50gr 50gr Sawdust
mm 55mm
1.5cm 1.5cm
20cm 20cm
31.5° 31.5°
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Latex100ml 100ml Latex Clay50gr 50gr Clay
mm 22mm
3cm 3cm
25cm 25cm
31.5° 31.5°
66
Latex100ml 100ml Latex Clay50gr 50gr Clay
mm 55mm
2cm 2cm
17.5cm 17.5cm
30° 30°
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Latex100ml 100ml Latex Clay25gr 25gr Clay
mm 22mm
3.5cm 3.5cm
30cm 30cm
37° 37°
88
Latex100ml 100ml Latex Clay25gr 25gr Clay
mm 55mm
2.5cm 2.5cm
25cm 25cm
34° 34°
99
Latex100gr 100gr Latex Stonedust50gr 50gr Stonedust
mm 22mm
3cm 3cm
22.5cm 22.5cm
31° 31°
10 10
Latex100ml 100ml Latex Stoneust50gr 50gr Stoneust
mm 55mm
2cm 2cm
20cm 20cm
35° 35°
11 11
Latex110ml 110ml Latex Sawdust100gr 100gr Sawdust
mm 22mm
2.5cm 2.5cm
17.5cm 17.5cm
33° 33°
12 12
Latex110ml 110ml Latex Sawdust100gr 100gr Sawdust
mm 55mm
1.5cm 1.5cm
15cm 15cm
33° 33°
88 99 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 28 2926 29 30 30
MAXIMUM MAXIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM
G
H
I
rmal Properties/Sun Test
J
K
Thermal Properties/Heat Gun Test
Material insulation Shadow test / floor Direct heat from the heating with heat temperature 43° sun on material gun /47°
External temperature after heating
Internal temperature after heating
32°
33°
27.5°
57°
41°
31°
31.8°
26.7°
55°
34°
30.9°
34.1°
24.5°
63°
49°
29.6°
33.1°
24.3°
53°
32°
26.6°
49.3°
25.9°
56°
47°
25°
43.6°
25.4°
58°
40°
25.5°
33.5°
24.3°
59°
53°
22.7°
31.5°
25.1°
61.5°
40°
25.5°
42.1°
25.1°
61°
60°
26.5°
44.4°
25.1°
40°
37°
28.7°
31.3°
25.4°
78°
55°
27°
34.2°
24.3°
66°
33°
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material tests
DEFORMATION & ELASTICITY TEST
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Shadow (Floor Temp Shadow TestTest (Floor Temp 43ยบ 43ยบ) Celsius)
THERMAL TEMPERATURE THERMAL TRANSFER
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
Thermal Tests
THERMAL TRANSFER
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
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Thermal Properties: Heat Gun Test
EXTERNAL HEATING FROM THE SUN Temperature of the surface underneath the mix
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
Thermal Properties: Heat Gun Test
TEMPERATURE OF THE MATERIAL AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO THE SUN FOR A VERY LONG TIME
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
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Thermal Tests
DIRECT HEAT GAIN FROM THE SUN ON THE MATERIALS
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
Thermal Tests
MATERIAL INSULATION, HEATING WITH THE HEAT GUN AT 47ยบ CELSIUS
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6 Mix 7 Mix 8 Mix 9 Mix 10 Mix 11 Mix 12
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Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Through the mycelium, a fungus absorbs nutrients from its environment. It does this in a two-stage process. First, the hyphae secrete enzymes onto or into the food source, which break down biological polymers into smaller units such as monomers. These monomers are then absorbed into the mycelium by facilitated diffusion and active transport. Mycelium is vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for their role in the decomposition of plant material. They contribute to the organic fraction of soil, and their growth releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. “Mycelium”, like “fungus”, can be considered a mass noun, a word that can be either singular or plural. The term “mycelia”, though, like “fungi”, is often used as the preferred plural form. One of the primary roles of fungi in an ecosystem is to decompose organic compounds. Petroleum products and some pesticides (typical soil contaminants) are organic molecules (i.e. they are built on a carbon structure), and thereby present a potential carbon source for fungi. Hence, fungi have the potential to eradicate such pollutants from their environment; unless the chemicals prove toxic to the fungus. This biological degradation is a process known as bioremediation. Mycelial mats have been suggested (see Paul Stamets) as having potential as biological filters,
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removing chemicals and microorganisms from soil and water. The use of fungal mycelium to accomplish this has been termed mycofiltration. Knowledge of the relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants suggests new ways to improve crop yields. When spread on logging roads, mycelium can act as a binder, holding new soil in place and preventing washouts until woody plants can be established. Since 2007, a company called Ecovative Design has been developing alternatives to polystyrene and plastic packaging by growing mycelium in agricultural waste. The two ingredients are 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 make many different varieties of the material including water absorbent, flame retardant, and dielectric.[2] Fungi are essential for converting biomass into compost, as they decompose feedstock components such as lignin, which many other composting microorganisms cannot.[3] Turning a backyard compost pile will commonly expose visible networks of mycelia that have formed on the decaying organic material within. Compost is an essential soil amendment and fertilizer for organic farming and gardening. Composting can divert a substantial fraction of municipal solid waste from landfill.
# 05 mycelium A 4”X4”X4” Mycelium block was covered with Latex. Generally mycelium exposed to natural conditions would convert into dust particles in 4-5 weeks. But even has few months it was seen that mycelium inside latex was still preserved and was alive. After 2 weeks mushrooms started growing on the surface while the mycelium inside was still protected. This proved that retained the humidity, is non toxic an.
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BIOMIMETICS Biomimetics or biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Living organisms have evolved well-adapted structures and materials over geological time through natural selection. Biomimetics has given rise to new technologies inspired by biological solutions at macro and nanoscales. Humans have looked at nature for answers to problems throughout our existence. Nature has solved engineering problems such as self-healing abilities, environmental exposure tolerance and resistance, hydrophobicity, self-assembly, and harnessing solar energy.
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# 06 Skin After understanding the properties of latex, this experiment was made to make a breathing skin. Using examples of biomemitic an attempt was made to create a facade system which could reduce the temperature allows purified air into the indoor space and can breathe. Over the time it could grow plants and eventually bio-degrades.
They can be found doing a headstand in the early morning allowing the fog to condense on their back and then run down towards the mouthparts where they can then drink up to 40% of their body mass on a given morning. BUMPS IN SURFACE
Frogs and toads have a ‘lycra’ type skin that protects them from from injury and disease. It comes in wonderful variations of colour and patterns.Frog skin is water permiable, this means it can let water in and out. Frogs don’t often drink with their mouths, they absorb water through their skin. WATER RETENTION Skin made to mimic the creatures above
Worms do not have lungs but breathe through skin. They take in oxygen through skin and it goes right into bloodstream. The skin must stay wet in order for the oxygen to pass through it. Worms have to be damp, moist and slimy. Although if the water has lots of air in it, it can stay under for a long time. AIR MOVEMENT 35
skin - mould The cast was made out of wood using a milling machine. Layers of latex and saw-dust where sprayed and poured. after 5 days the mould was opened out to get the flexible skin.
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skin properties
POCKETS FOR WATER STORAGE
R TE WA
RE SIS TAN T
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
HT
D
SE
U IFF
LIG
D
AT HE
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N IO AT L SU IN
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY
WATER TO BE USED BY INDOOR PLANTS
FLEXIBLE DESIGN
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# 07 project The use of latex in the broader sense came into exsistence by understanding and analysing Valldaura within Collserola Park. Several analysis like soil erosion, water flow and etc. were done to be aware of the problems and needs of the area.
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Water flow analysis
Iaac Valldaura
The natural water flow analysis of the site indicates the area where the problem of surface run-off is maximun and where does the water finally gets collected. The blue line indicates the flow of water. The thickness shows where the water stangnates.
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soil erosion analysis
After the slope analysis it was found that the area has very steep slope in some parts of Collserola. Due to this it has huge problems of surface run-off when it rains. This results in the top layer of the soil being wahed away - making the land unproductive for agricultural growth.
The red colors indicates the area of maximum erosion and the blue the least.
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project proposal The water resistant property of the material was used for this proposal, which tries to solve the current problems of the site - surafce run-off and erosion of the soil. We propose to stratgically place the retention ponds which will be made using the mixes or layers of our research which in turn would help soil to be fertile and resist in loosing its nutrients by surface water run off. This would in turn also act as a water storage sytem for natural water.
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PROPOSED AREA OF INTERVENTION
The points on the map indicate the location of the proposed retention ponds highlighting the posibility of where water can be collected, distributed and channelised to the other parts of the site and to the city. 45
Zoomed in proposal plan
The main idea for the proposal is to make retention ponds on the specific points where the rain water run-off is maximum. This would ensure the water gets collected and also allowing water to go deep into the soil making the land fertile over time.
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DETAILED PLAN OF THE SITE WITH THE PROPSED RETENTION PONDS AND THE CONNECTING LAKES.
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site section A retention pond made of latex bricks has been proposed where there is a possibility of collecting rain water. Latex and clay bricks has been used to make a small round tank. A tube is inserted with gravel and sand filter at the bottom of the pit which goes to the lower layers of the soil this would enable rain water discharge. Over time the soil will be rich in nutrients and will be fertile for agriculture.
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DETAILED SECTION OF THE PROPOSAL
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# 08 sturcture The research semester ended with a structure in the Valldaura Campus. All the different groups combined with their individual projects to make the structure. Latex was used as a canopy and to channnelise the rain water to store it for the use in landscaping.
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VALLDAURA STRUCTURE
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Future of Collserola
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# 09 CONCLUSIONS This research and tests forming a part of the metabolic cycle has been performed in natural conditions and might be used for agricultural production. This is not a conclusion but a future proposal and possibilities with the material. In terms of building architecture the future idea for this project would be to extend and enhance its properties in making it into a light-weight construction block for buildings of human scale. Furthur research and tests will probably enable to make a structure by modifing the properties to float on a surface of water with the use of bricks/blocks. Hence an open-ended research cycle forming our Meta_Genesis.
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References www.ehow.com/ www.valldaura.net www.forbes.com www.en.wikipedia.org www.jwlatexconsultants.com www.mattress-inquirer.com www.hygenic.com www.sgfelken.com www.eugenegoesthailand.com www.madehow.com FoamX-Poble Nou,Barcelona
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# 10
REFERENCES
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