Experimental Materiality

Back to dirt - a bio-inclusive process with mycelium

Back to dirt is a transdisciplinary applied research project that proposes a more integrated myco-fabrication process. Myco-fabrication utilizes the growth of mycelium, the root structure of fungi, to create materials from organic waste. Back to dirt expands on this process by using local soil as a mold to grow objects. This unique process allows to bypass existing steps and conditions of myco-fabrication, such as sterilization, additional energy and plastic molds, while exploring the mycelias capacity to regenerate soils and reintroduce biodiversity.

The Boisbuchet Residency Award 2021 gave Miriam Josi and Stella Lee Prowse the opportunity to bring the lab outdoors and apply their bio-inclusive process at a larger scale. It was during their residency at Domaine de Boisbuchet where they grew the earliest full-scale proof of concept of their fabrication method, the first underground myco-fabricated chair.

Project supported by FAIRE, a research and experimentation program launched by the Pavillon de l’Arsenal with the support of the City of Paris, the Caisse des dépôts, EDF and MINI

The Aléa Method

Dirty chair N.1

Dirty chair N.4

Dirty chair N.5

Dirty chair N.7

Dirty chair N.8

Made in soil (Collaboration with Carole Collet)

Potager des Autres (Biennale de l’Architecture et du Paysage Versailles)

Back to Dirt @ Matières Vivantes (Pavillon de L’Arsenal Paris)

BTD Installation N.1 (ZÉRUÌ London)