design studio 02
Last updated
Last updated
DESIGN SPACE
Since I am continuing my work and experimentation with mycelium, I haven’t yet updated my design space. However, I decided to create a structured overview by listing everything I have done so far to assess whether there are further steps to take, questions to address, or new possibilities to explore. This diagram represents my current progress and reflections on potential next steps:
AUDIO REFLECTION
Exploring Alternative Presents in Context
Ethics of Design in Human-Technical Assemblages
In my project, I would like to work with the idea that waste can be reimagined as a resource, that biological systems have value beyond just their usefulness to humans, and that science and design should be open and accessible to everyone.
In this case, I see bioremediation not just as a scientific process but as a form of environmental justice, recognizing the responsibility to address industrial waste rather than pushing its consequences elsewhere. Throughout the development of my work, I try to follow principles of transparency and responsibility. This means minimizing environmental impact during experimentation, sharing my findings openly, and thinking about the long-term effects of introducing mycelium into red mud ecosystems.
In an ideal scenario, my project could show that mycelium has the potential to remediate red mud, opening up new possibilities for sustainable material applications. The knowledge would be shared openly, encouraging industries to rethink waste management and inspiring young designers and scientists to explore biofabrication. I imagine open workshops and clear, accessible documentation playing a big role, allowing communities to experiment and contribute, making the field more inclusive. A concern would be about the danger of over-promising results before fully understanding the material’s impact.
Evaluation and participation in my project could rely on open-source platforms, community-led experiments, and peer-reviewed collaborations to keep everything transparent.
My project would recognize that mycelium is a living organism with its own adaptive intelligence, and red mud has chemical properties that could shape the outcomes in ways I can’t fully control. The idea is that the process wouldn’t be about imposing a solution on nature but co-designing with it—working alongside these materials and their behaviors rather than forcing them to fit a predetermined outcome.
Research Design
Research Questions/Hypotheses:
How can red mud be used as a substrate for mycelium growth? If mycelium can metabolize red mud, could this serve as a preliminary step toward bioremediation?
Theoretical Framework:
This project explores the interaction between mycelium and red mud, a hazardous byproduct of aluminum extraction. It aims to investigate whether mycelium can utilize red mud as a substrate, potentially unlocking new strategies for bioremediation and material innovation. Beyond the scientific scope, the project embraces open collaboration, envisioning future applications such as community workshops, online platforms, and educational initiatives.
Methods:
The approach will be experimental. I’ll start with a series of tests to observe how mycelium reacts to red mud, keeping the conditions controlled and tracking the progress regularly. Everything will be documented clearly through written notes and photos, creating a record of both the process and the results, which could also support future collaborations and discussions
Transition Design: Holon’s Practice
