Download - Mycorrhizal Rejuvenation Learning Center
Mycorrhizal Rejuvenation Learning Center Bridgeport, South Branch Chicago River, IL.
How Can Architecture Act As a Regenerative Force?Learning from Nature
Packaging Replacement30% volume of our landfills is composed of packaging
grows at ambient temperature in 5 dayscan grown on agricultural waste products
100% biological yield 100% decomposablecurrently available on market
Job Creationtrain scientists as myco technicians
train landscape architects with understanding of myceliumcatalyse growth by developing compromised sites
help generate new sources of income
Medicinepenicillin is derived from a fungi
has displayed anti-viral activity against:pox virus, cancers, HIV, Influenza, Herpes, Hepatitis B
Foodcan increase the rate of growth of other plant species
can allow crops to grow in areas which are not significant sources of plant nutrients
can be easily shipped across the globe
Urban Renewalcan act as a means of brownfield
site remediationcould help urban centers reclaim
and develop valuable propertycould create public attractions
Soil Remediation97% reduction in polynuclear aromatic
hydro carbon content in 8 weekscosts $50/ton to remediate with mycelium
costs $1400/ton to remediate with incinerationShown to hyper accumulate or break down:
dyes, munitions, chemical weapons, dioxin, chlorine, and many morecan generate nutrient rich soils for agriculture
Pesticide Replacementenvironmentally friendly product: cordyceps fungi
results in spore growth erupting from insectacts as a deterrent for future potential infestations
Water Filtrationover 100 species of mycelium have been found to have
specific antimicrobial effects on a variety of pathogenic microbesa 100 fold decreases in coliform effluent levels in an outdoor experiment
100% effectiveness in vitro in inhibiting the malarial parasite
Ecological Restorationmycorrhizal species of fungi improve
resiliency of plant species95% of studied plant species display a
mycorrhizal relationship with fungican increase the chances that a plant will survive
in a compromised sitecan increase ecological quality, diversity, and value
Social
Economic Ecological
What is Mycelium?Mushrooms and Fungi
How Can it Benefit Us?The Business ModelMycelium has the ability to help us by generating and strengthening economic, social, and environmental equity.
Mycelium has inhabited the earth for over 600 million years. It is the largest and most resilient organism known to man. The largest continuous specimen is 2,400 acres in size, as a species it has survived multiple extinction events, and every time this event has occurred mycelium has played a fundamental role in re-establishing a climate that is hospitable to other forms of life. Virtually all land based natural habitats are dependent on it in order to survive. So what exactly is mycelium and why is it important? Mycelium is a root system which in one phase of its life it fruits mushrooms. The Mycorrhizial form of fungi is said to act as nature!s neurological network by attaching itself to plant roots then gathering and distributing nutrients across great distances and between different plant species thus creating a symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi in which food is shared. Mycelium also plays a essential role in any ecosystem by recycling soils and breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler, more digestible forms, thereby creating nutrient rich soil to feed plants and thus animals. Mycelium establishes a platform from which ecosystems can achieve the closed loop cycle of nutrients that they need to sustainably survive. There are many lessons to be learned from mycelium which could lead to more responsible design and practice.
Bayer, Eben. “Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?” www.ted.com. Web. 04 Oct 2010.Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2005.
During the course of this project I ran a 5 month experiment growing my own enokitake mushrooms in my refridgerator. This particular species can grow in relatively cold conditions in whichmany other microbes will not be able to compete. It can also be frozen without damaging the mycelium. From this experiment I gain first hand experience with cultivation strategies and I used this information to generate the concepts of how various nutrients flow through the building.
My MyceliumRefrigerated Growth Experiment
Life According to a Protistologist2005 International Society of Protistologists Classification
Bacteria
Excavata
Archaea
Amoebozoa
Rhizaria
Opisthokonta
Chromalveolata
Archaeplastida
Life
Bacteria
Domains Kingdoms
Eukarya
Archaea
In 2005 the Internatinal Society of Pro-tistologists updated the classification system for organizing different living organisms into catagories. According to this system both fungi and humans are part of the same kingdom of life. Since 2005 humans are officially related to fungi.
Wikipedia contributors. "Kingdom Biology." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 June. 2011. Web. 24 June. 2011.
Multicellular Life: 1 billion years
Mycelium: 600 million years
Complex Animals: 550 million years
Land Plants: 475 million years
Insects: 400 million years
Amphibians: 360 million years
Reptiles: 300 million years
Mammals: 200 million years
Birds: 150 million years
Flowers: 130 million years
Raise of the genus homo: 2.5 million yearsHomosapien: 200 thousand years
K–Pg extinction event: 65 million years
End Permian excinction event: 251 million yearsEnd Triassic extinction event: 205 million years
Late Devonian extinction event: 360 million years
O–S extinction event: 450 million years
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Evolution of Life TimelineFeeling a little small?
Wikipedia contributors. "Evolution Timeline." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 June. 2011. Web. 24 June. 2011.
The Genus Guide to MyceliumChoose your fungi
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Antrodia (Radiculosa)
Boletus (Badius,Edulis)
Armillaria (Ostoyae)
Bjerkandera (Adusta)
60
Agrocybe (Aegerita)
Agaricus (Arvensis, Bernardii, Bisporus...)
Chlorophyllum (Rachodes)
Coprinus (Comatus)
Flammulina (Velutipes)
Cordyceps (Sinesis)
Chro
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Anth
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Fomes (Fomentarius)
Fomitopsis (Pinicola,Officinalis)
Ganoderma (Applanatum, Lucidum)
Grifola (Frondosa)
Gloeophyllum (Trabeum)
Gomphidius (Glutinosus)
Hericium (Erniaceus)
Hypholoma (Capnoides,Sublatertium)
Hypsizygus (Ulmarius)
Inonotus (Obliquus)
Irpex (Lacteus)
Laetiporus (Sulphureus)
Lentinula (Edodes)
Macrolepiota (Procera)
Meruliporia (Incrassata)
Morchella (Angusticeps, Atretomentosa, Spp.)
Mycena (Alcalina)
Naematoloma (Frowardii)
Paxillus (Atretomentosa)
Phanerochaete (Chrysosporium)
Pholiota (Nameko)
Piptoporus (Bentulinus)
Pleurotus (Eryngii,Oystreatus, Pulmonarius)
Psilocybe (Cubensis,Cyanescens,Spp...)
Serpula (Lacrymans)
Sparassis (Crispa)
Stropharia (Rugoso-annulata)
Trametes (Hirsuta, Versicolor)
Preferred Habitats Fruiting Temperatures Anti-Chemical Activity
80 40
Cadm
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Lead
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Anti-Microbial Activity Medicinal PropertiesHyper AccumulationSome Significant Extreme
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Anti-
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Anti-
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Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2005.
The Union StockyardsSouth Branch Chicago River, IL.
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The Union Stockyards, located along the South Branch of the Chicago River, is a marvel to both the innovation of man and the ecological disasters we are willing to create in order to acquire modern day comforts. At the peak of its operation the stockyards covered 640 acres of land, employed 40,000 people, and processed 82% of the United States! domestic meat. The stockyards were said to be the birthplace of some of America!s first truly global industries. However, due to the intensity of the activity that took place in the area the stockyards created an ecologi-cal disaster. During operation it would consume up to 500,000 gallons of water a day and the effluents would enter the river. Thus the infamous bubbly creek was born named after the off gassing that results from the decomposing animal matter in the creek. In 1971 the stockyards closed and today a once booming neighborhood has been transformed into a series of abandoned post industrial sites surrounded by primarily residential neighbor-hoods.
Wikipedia contributors. "Chicago." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2011."Chicago City of the Century." An American Experience. PBS. 2003. Television.
The Santa Fe Grain SiloS. Damen Ave. and 29th St.
0! 50! 100! 300!
Raising up to fifteen stories in height, grain elevators are said to be the city!s first skyscrapers. The Santa Fe Railroad Grain Elevator was constructed in 1906 during the height of Chicago!s grain processing boom by the John S. Metcalf Company. It has 35 storage silos and a 14 silo work house. The silo!s measure 24 feet in diameter and are 80 feet tall in the storage portion and 100 feet tall in the work house. This building stands as a monument to the past but if left in its current state of neglect it will inevitably be lost.
Rather than letting this building go to waste it could be revitalized through an adaptive reuse project transforming it into a myce-lium research center and museum. The building could act as a living laboratory by helping to remediate the ecological damage done in the neighborhood, generate new mycelium based biotechnologies, and show-casing the potential of myce-lium to the public.
kendoman26. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 19 May 2010. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/kendo26/4626599880/>statlerhotel. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 12 May 2007. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/statlerhotel/2368985771/>
Kethum, Milo Smith. The design of walls, bins, and grainelevators. New York: The Engineering News Publishing Co., 1907.
istorija. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 25 August 2009. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/istorija/3898667057/>
MEP
cellulose
metal
auto
art site
other
glass
food
Industrial Program:
greenways
pollutants
Pathways:
ecosystem restoration
soil remediationwater filtration
Mycelium Rejuvenation:
Urban RejuvenationMycelium Improvement Projects
0! 250!
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MycoRestorationFungi
Burlap Spawn
Cardboard Spawn
Mycelium SpawnBurlap Sacks
Burlap Bunkers
Restored SiteInset into Compromised Site
A mycelium research insti-tute combined with a public learning center could act as a catalyst project that could result in the revitalization of a large urban region. Because of its adjacency to the river, the city!s park greenbelt, and numerous means of transportation this area has a potentially high value to the city in terms of economic, social, and envi-ronmental equity. This part of the city contains many abandoned post-industrial buildings and brownfield sites but if these sites could be restored the entire city of Chicago would greatly benefit. Mycelium could be the key to accomplishing this goal.
Site RestorationRestoring Value
industrial history museum
mushroom restaurant
Adjacent Buildings:
Water TreatmentOfficesSupport Spaces
Silo Reuse:
Soil RemediationResearchMycelium Growth
Museum Space
Rail Tracks
Car Paving
Roads
Permeable Paver
Asphalt
Grass
Bridges
Water
Gravel
Contaminant Y
Contaminant X
Composting Soils
Mycorrhizal Trees
Growth Medium
Myco Remediation
Gourmet Mushrooms
Myco Filtration
Myco Restoration
Site Textures:
0! 50! 100! 300!
S Da
men
Ave
.
29th St.
Effluent SourceWater Retention PondMycorrhzial Tree SpeciesOffshore Mycofilter
Loose StrawMyceliumWoodchips/Newspaper (Local Waste Sources)
MycoFiltration MycoRemediationMycorrhizal Tree SpeciesMycelium GardenToxic Soil treated for Heavy MetalsToxic Soil Treated for HydrocarbonsMatts Inoculated With MyceliumMycelium SacksNutrient Rich Soil For Planting
The landscape immediately adjacent to river is of particular high value to the city. Once transformed into the Mycorrhizal Rejuvena-tion Learning Center the silos could act as a source of regeneration for this valuable property. The surrounding landscape would be designed to exhibit mycelium in the form of mushroom gardens and small scale habitat restora-tion projects that would also provide a low cost means to clean polluted soils and water around the site.
Building Nutrient CycleFacilitating Growth
Contaminants
Rain Water
Grey Water
Black Water
Substrate
Energy Resupply
Nutrients
Air
Input Demands
SporesIncubation Germination
Inoculation
Water Filtration
InoculationTo inoculate a food stock with mycelium add the spores to the nutrient enriched water: .5 - 1g spores/ gallon of water. Cover immediately and incubate at room temperature shaking vigorously twice a day. After 24 - 48 hours add the mycelium to the substrate.GerminationSpores germinate into mycelium. When this mycelium is used to inoculate more material, it is called spawn. Spawn can be collected and transplanted physically to different locations and used for its benefits.Cold IncubationPleurotus species of mushrooms such as Oyster and Enoki have a microbial advantage at low temperatures and particularly useful for remediation strategies. Simply broadcast the mycelium onto wet straw. The spawn should be 10% to 30% of the mass of the total mixture. Freezing will not kill the spawn.
Cul
tivat
ionWater
Untreated, typical grid water is not recommended for mushroom growth however, many contaminants in grey and black water are nutrients for mycelium.
SporesMushrooms give off spores which can be used to inoculate new food stocks and expand yield. Approximately 50% of the mass of a mushroom can be in the form of spores. 1 gram of spores = roughly 1 billion spores.
SubstrateMycelium can grow on a wide variety of food stocks including:Cardboard Burlap LogsSawdust Newspaper Agricultural Waste
LightMost Mycelium does not require sunlight to grow.
NutrientsThe trick to successful growth is to create an environment in which the mycelium has a microbial advantage. Ideal nutrients can be a simple mixture: 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 table spoon sugar/gallon of water.In
gred
ient
s
Output
CompostingDegradation
Heat CaptureSpore Capture
Research and Occupancy
Spawn
Potable Water
Grey Water
Mushroom Spores
Medical Research
Chemical Replacements
Material Replacements
Mycelium
Nutrient Rich Soil
Black Water
Cultivation
LightMost Mycelium does not require sunlight to grow.
Heat CaptureAs mycelium break down the compounds in soil it gives off heat which can be recycled through the building. Microbial activity in soils can bring tempera-tures to above 160 F.Spawn CaptureElectrostatic filters in close proximity or downwind from fruiting mycelium will capture more than 90% of spores. Using the stack effect, natural ventilation can be used to help capture spawn and cultivate more mycelium. Other spawn collection methods Include: making a spore print by placing a mushroom cap on glass or paper, and placing the caps and stems into nutrient enriched water.
Reca
ptur
e
Wat
er S
tora
ge
o
Support Silos
15! 15!
A = 257.52 ft A = 706.28 ft
= 12,894.29 ft 13 x + 6 x
2 2
2
12! 12!
A = 452.39 ft A = 101.11ft
35 x + 24 x = 18,260.28 ft
2 2
2
Research Silos
Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2005.
black water
grey water
rain water
nutrient enriched water
Water CaptureTotal Roof Area:31,154.57 ftRainwater Budget:2.85 ft rainfall/year x 31,154.57 ft x 7.48 gallons/ft = 664,153.13 gallons rainfall/year
2
2
3
Storage CapacityA = 706.28 ft 2
V = 706.28 ft x 80 ft = 56,502.4 ft2 3
Silo Capacity = 56,502.4 ft x 7.48 gallons/ft = 422,637.95 gallons 3 3
Total Capacity = 422,637.95 gallons/silo x 4 silos = 1,690,551.8 gallons
o
Building ProgramResearch and Fungi Museum
exhibitionpublic spaceloadingcirculation
water treatmentwater storagemycelium growthresearch
misc. spaces
public accessresearch access
Support Silos1 storage2 loading3 water treatment4 flow control5 water tanks
Research Silos6 loading and processing7 research facility entrance8 growth chambers9 central research node
10 soil and water testing
nutrient feeding system light research water growth ventilation
Exhibition Silos11 secondary exhibition cylinders12 research observation area13 water collection14 garden entrance15 primary exhibition cylinder16 information17 mushroom supply orders18 exterior walkway access19 public entrance 0! 10! 50!
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RemediationWater and Soil Treatment
exhibitionpublic spacecirculation
water treatmentwater storagemycelium growthresearch misc. spaces
public accessresearch access
Support Silos1 storage2 soil treatment3 system monitoring4 water tanks
Exhibition Silos9 secondary exhibition cylinders
10 research observation area11 water collection12 primary exhibition cylinder13 atrium walkway14 atrium growth trays15 plant and mycorrhizia atrium
nutrient feeding system16 exterior cultivation walkway
Research Silos5 lab stations6 growth chamber7 central research node8 Contaminant reaction testing
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nutrient feeding system light research water growth ventilation
Material GrowthBiodegradable Solutions
exhibitionpublic spacecirculation
material growthwater storagemycelium growthresearch misc. spaces
public accessresearch access
Support Silos1 storage2 material growth room3 water tanks
Exhibition Silos8
9
research observation area
10
water collection
11
primary exhibition cylinder
12
atrium walkway
13
atrium growth trays
14
plant and mycorrhizia atrium
nutrient feeding systemexterior cultivation walkway
Research Silos4 lab stations5 growth chamber6 central research node7 material properties testing
nutrient feeding system light research water growth ventilation
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Chemical PropertiesEnvironmentally Friendly Alternatives
exhibitionpublic spacecirculation
officeswater storagemycelium growthresearch misc. spaces
public accessresearch access
Support Silos1 storage2 private offices3 open offices4 water tanks
Exhibition Silos9 research observation area
10 water collection11 primary exhibition cylinder12 atrium walkway13 atrium growth trays14 plant and mycorrhizia atrium
nutrient feeding system15 exterior cultivation walkway
Research Silos5 lab stations6 growth chamber7 central research node8 chemical testing lab
nutrient feeding system light research water growth ventilation
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Building SectionWater, Spawn, Heat, Ventilation
Atrium DesignDisplay Symbiotic Relation Between Plants and Fungi
PatterningArtificial Growth
Polar Grid 1:Grid spacing scale factor = 2Number of Circles = n/2^x X=0,1,2...
Mushroom Spore Print
Combined Grid Perforation Pattern
Artificial GrowthNatural Growth
The facade of the building is designed with an artificial growth pattern that is inspired by a mushroom spore print andbased on the combination of a polar and Cartesian grid that grow and shrink using factors of 2. The intent is to have different apertures of light entering an interstitial area between the interior and exterior where various plants and mushrooms can grow. The different plant species that thrive under the various conditions created in this space will determine how the building looks. The result is a juxtaposition between natural and artificial growth patterns and an area where biologists can experiment and discover what plant species manage to survive in these micro climates, many mushrooms can thrive in cold conditions and they become more resilient under microbially competitive conditions outside, thus becoming more adept at remediating soils and water.
Polar Grid 2:Grid spacing scale factor = .5Number of Circles = 2^x X=2,3,4...
Cartesian Grid:Grid spacing scale factor = .5Number of Circles = 2^x X=2,3,4...
0! 10! 50!South East Elevation
Application of the SkinJuxtiposition Between Natural and Artificial Patterning
Label Detail
Label Detail
SourcesMany Thanks
Bayer, Eben. “Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?” www.ted.com. Web. 04 Oct 2010.McLennan, Jason F. The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. Banbridge Island: Ecotone, LLC: 2004.MGA van der Heijden, and IR Sanders. Mycorrhizal Ecology. Berlin; New York: Springer, 2002.
SE Smith, DJ Read, and JL Harley. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1997. Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2005. William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. New York: North Point Press, 2002.Wikipedia contributors. "Mycorrhiza." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2011.
kendoman26. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 19 May 2010. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/kendo26/4626599880/>statlerhotel. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 12 May 2007. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/statlerhotel/2368985771/>istorija. "santa fe grain silo chicago" 25 August 2009. Online image. Flickr. 26 Dec 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/istorija/3898667057/>"Chicago City of the Century." An American Experience. PBS. 2003. Television.http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Trametes_vebrsicolor.htmlhttp://www.lookfordiagnosis.com/images.php?term=Lentinula&lang=1http://www.flickr.com/photos/30815184@N08/2881116033/http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa10/emfoley2/content1.htmlhttp://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/introducing-microbeshttp://www.biopix.com/photo.asp?photoid=37994&photo=coprinus-comatushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomphidius_glutinosushttp://kinoko-ya.sakura.ne.jp/01eng/pleurotus_ostreatus.htmhttp://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Trametes_vebrsicolor.htmlhttp://fiddlehead.smugmug.com/gallery/8209#6568043_oXiWe-A-LB
Wikipedia contributors. "Kingdom Biology." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 June. 2011. Web. 24 June. 2011.Wikipedia contributors. "Animal." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 June. 2011. Web. 20 June. 2011.
Resources:
Influential People:Paul Stamets, Mycologist And Founder, Fungi PerfectiNicole Isle, Senior Sustainability Advisor BrightworksSean Scott, Project Architect SERA ArchitectsPaul F. Morris, President, Greenleaf Strategies LLC
William R. Taylor, PD(X) LAB, PSU, AIPDJohn C. Hutton, Research Director University of Colorado Health Science Center
Special Thanks to My Thesis Instructors:Suenn Ho, Senior Designer MulvannyG2 ArchitectureNancy Cheng, Program Director University of Oregon PortlandIf You d Like to Talk More about Design or Mycelium Please Feel Free to Contact Me::John HuttonE-mail: [email protected]