Digital and Material Morphology

This research cluster traverses frontiers of digital processes and material experimentations to demonstrate new possibilities of translations from digital processes to actual building assemblies, as well as inventions of new constructional/structural materials and physical components as part of new bio-synthesis processes in architecture. Procedural methodologies that involve a range of digital software and analog testing are explored in both studio design projects and live projects in context. The design, constructional and experiential implications of working with a relational and parametric matrix

 

i.e. immediately three-dimensional, performative and interactive, are extrapolated from simulations, prototyping to actualisations. In parallel, new sustainable and biodegradable materials for construction are synthesised by utilising biopolymers obtained from agricultural waste. This specific development of material morphology, producing and testing the performance of mycelium-based materials that involves biological engineering, will have significant implications when applied to the engineering of the built environment, from constructional assembly and dis-assembly, criteria of sustainability, life-cycles of buildings and energy use, as well as socio-political implications linking to industry and labour, supply-chain, bottom up economics models and educational possibilities.

Header image for Mycelium Curiosities - white frost enveloping a twig

Mycelium Curiosities

Investigating the feasibility of fungal mycelium synthesised materials and the utilisation of nature’s biopolymers obtained from agricultural waste to biologically engineer a sustainable and biodegradable material for use in construction.

Vol 2 – Digital and Material Morphology

Research booklet

Explore all research within the Digital and Material Morphology research strand.