Regenerative Material-Human Ecologies: Investigating Mycelium for Living and Decentralized Architectures in Rwanda

Nina Sharifi, Yutaka Sho, Daekwon Park, Morgan Noone, Kiana Memarandadgar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemChapter

Abstract

The perpetuation of highly carbon-intensive construction practices by wealthy industrialized nations in non-industrialized contexts, in conjunction with the globally asymmetrical effects of climate change, has brought about long-lasting ecological and economic issues. The present work aims to embody an alternative approach to reconsidering resources, defined here as the material, knowledge, and economic flows that constitute an ecology of building, for non-industrialized contexts through the application of regenerative design principles. Sited in a semi-rural site in Kigali, Rwanda, this project investigates the potential for the co-development of living biocomposite construction through cooperative knowledge and supply ecosystems that enable decentralized architectures through local design agency. The unique properties of mycelium, the filamentous networks of fungal organisms, are utilized to test the adaptability of fabrication and construction models through local flows of material and information. The work aims to (1) test, prototype, fabricate, and install mycelium-based modular systems onsite, and (2) focus existing local knowledge on the effort of building a sustainable framework for design-build that enables continuity-in-place. By engaging with local stakeholders, including farmers, craftspeople, mushroom growers, organizations, and builders, the project envisions the reconsideration of resources through the culmination of a self-supporting material-human ecosystem.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSustainable Development Goals Series
PublisherSpringer
Pages563-579
Number of pages17
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Publication series

NameSustainable Development Goals Series
VolumePart F2790
ISSN (Print)2523-3084
ISSN (Electronic)2523-3092

Keywords

  • Local knowledge
  • Mycelium
  • Non-industrialized contexts
  • Regenerative design
  • Sustainable framework

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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