Trimester 8/15 [ 2023 ]
Mary Polites
Cinematic Inspiration | Princess Mononoke, Hayao Miyazaki

[ MEW Printed Scaffold Pattern ]

To design an infrastructural system that mimicked the organic growth of morel fungus, a series of branch modules were designed that would then be interconnected to an expansive larger system. 

Initially explored through Grasshopper in [A] + [B], a perceived randomness in gaps was desired. Additional development came in the form of designing branch modules that followd a linear form of movement across the branch. 

Through branches [1], [2], + [3], each branch moved vertically and diagonally based off of a standard distance of 1, 2, 3, or 4. Then, each branch system could then be interconnected with each other to create the finalized system that would expand across the project.
[ Branch A ]
[ Branch A ]
[ Branch B ]
[ Branch B ]
[ Branch C ]
[ Branch C ]
[ Module A ]
[ Module A ]
[ Module B ]
[ Module B ]
[ Module C }
[ Module C }

[ Hayden Gallery + Lawrence Courtyard Modification Plan ]

[ Hayden Gallery + Lawrence Courtyard Longitudinal Section ]

[ Living System Modification in Hayden Gallery, Lawrence Hall ]

[ Structural Extension into Lawrence Courtyard ]

This studio project then finalized into the exploration of future possibilities of living infrastructures in applications besides the previous infrastructural addition. My research into future applications of this potential building technology primarily focused on applications being made towards a residence. 

These  applications explore using living infrastructures in place of traditional building elements that would be utilized. 

Application [ 1 ] is the use of living infrastructures to become a structural system, in which plantings would grow within a casing and that casing would eventually be removed.
Application [ 2 ] is the use of living infrastructures as constructable walls throughout the residence. The use of this application explores the potential of living infrastructures becoming building systems in future construction of interior spaces.
Application [ 3 ] is the use of living infrastructures as the facade. The use of this application is similar to ivy that grows on exteriors, and therefore would prevent structural damage that is typical of exterior ivy.

[ Living System Future Explorations ]

[ Structure + Walls + Facade ]