Week 7 - Materials in Context

Myriad of Materials

Reflection : Drawing - Words - Making

Semi-Sphere Brick Drawing

Knight and Lee Brick Drawing

Drawing these really helped me understand the detail that's on the bricks. It highlights the areas where the glue and the mycelium didn't interact well; the edge of the K&L brick shows it slightly, but it was way more prominent on the semi-sphere as more glue was used.

Transformation of the object

I want to make the core structure of my building out of mycelium. Below is a stop motion video of me demonstrating how the materials could work in situ. From the video you can gain a solid understanding of the materiality of the core structure in a visually abstract way.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/9a2118_8eb32edd006b4feca6ef1249529cf184/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Atmospheric Writing

Core concrete Poetry

I wanted to create a hybrid of material, structure and words. The material is from the brick I made in week three, and I overlayed it onto the core structure, which I want to create out of mycelium. The works represent the material but also the meaning behind it, which is a biophilic sustainable discovery centre that teaches people about the natural world and its importance.

Identify

Recognising an area of my design, Epiphyte, that I want to detail. My first thought was the mycelium core structure, but it would not have been easy as I am not a structural engineer. It could be made in parts and fixed together like the MycoTree precedent. Maybe it's one massive mould that the mycelium is packed into. I thought of taking it in a new direction and looking at my mycelium leather for my furniture and handrails. It has been used to create many things clothes, packaging, and accessories. therefore making it a perfect option for the upholstery.

Mycelium leather is made with constant pressure throughout the growing process or rolling once it is at a particular stage. For the rolling process, you have to wait for the CO2 layer to grow and start reaching for fresh air, it would look kind of fluffy, and you would roll that flat with something round. This is called the rolling aerial mycelium method.

Gomba are observing the mycelium growing between the cracks of dead trees, the idea of using air space to grow foam/leather which could be done like below. Two colonized slabs of mycelium twice working together.

"It's the first time that a company is able to produce a vegetal product which is matching or even exceeding the quality and durability and aesthetics of a natural one. It's a super achievement," Patrick Thomas, former Hermés CEO and a MycoWorks board of directors member (click here).

"MycoWorks uses mycelium, a natural and abundant resource, to create Fine Mycelium, a patented technology in a class of its own: the next evolution in mycelium materials. Fine Mycelium engineers mycelium cells as they grow to create three dimensional structures that are densely entwined and inherently strong."

https://www.mycoworks.com/our-products#what-is-the-fine-mycelium-process

A mycelium leather handrail detail would be beautiful, sustainable and ethical. Below shows an actual leather handrail, and underneath it are only some of the different options mycelium leather offers. Even though I am focusing on mycelium, many other plant-based leather options can be used; apple, cork and pineapple are some of my favourites.

Real Leather

Mycelium leather

Mycelium leather

Mushroom Leather Vs Animal Leather

(Info from Fiber2Fashion)

• Creation of pollution

The production of animal leather creates enormous amounts of pollution due to the long tanning process, which requires numerous dyes and chemicals. These chemicals are toxic to people and the environment.

• The killing of animals

Since most leather is a by-product of the meat industry, we must also consider this aspect. Raising animals to brutally slaughter and use their skin for fashion presents severe ethical issues.

• Consumption of resources

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the meat industry alone uses roughly about 30% of the world’s ice-free land to support cattle production. It also uses one-third of the world’s freshwater and accounts for nearly one-fifth of its greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison, mushroom leather does not require harmful chemicals, water, or energy expenditure.

• Ability to recycle and reuse ( Sustainability)

Mushroom leather and its substrate can be reused again and again as post-consumer waste.

• Time to manufacture

It takes three years to raise a cattle to a decent size to allow the grower to get one piece of usable leather. On the other hand, as mushrooms grow exponentially, it takes only a couple of weeks.

• Manufacturing flexibility

An advantage of mushroom leather is its great manufacturing flexibility. You can turn its surface look into any shape, size, or animal skin. You can create different patterns, colours, and textures that regular leather would never be able to let you do.

• Level of quality

The mycelium leather might look fragile, but several tests have shown the material to be as strong as deerskin!

• Cost to make

Right now, mushroom leather costs about the same as animal leather. The price remains relatively high because the amount produced remains low.

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