The Saprotrophic Observatory 2024 - Shereen Raslan

shereenraslan@gmail.com

Master in Architecture in Applied Design Research and Design

The Saprotrophic Observatory

Harnessing the Fungal Powers of Ecological Regenerative Transformation

The Saprotrophic Oberservatory

- Design Studio 5 - Archiving the Forest

The Saprotrophic Observatory

Concept & Research

The project explored the phenomenon of transformation within the ancient woodlands of the Great Wytham Woods. The Amplifier fosters the fungal powers of decay and nutrient recycling in order to observe and utilise saprotrophic transformation.

Brief and Design Development

The Saprotrophic Observatory’s main ethos is to harness the power of saprotrophy in order to speed up the nutrient recycling process and carbon sequestration for the health of the woodlands ecosystem.

Project Introduction

The Saprotrophic Observatory is located in the central-western region of the Great Wytham Woods. The ancient semi-natural woodlands is a protected ecological research site: “an archive of information”.

The Observatory harnesses the fungal powers of decay and nutrient recycling to create a space for research and experimentation, in order to observe and utilise saprotrophic transformation. The by products of experiementation are mycelium materials, essentially functioning as a circular economy mushroom “farm” The research facility, or mushroom farm, is nestled on the sloping 1900s plantation of beech, oak, and conifer trees.

The Wytham Woods is under the management of Oxford University and their Ecological Research Department. The Saprotrophic Observatory’s main ethos is to amplify the power of saprotrophy in order to speed up the nutrient recycling process and carbon sequestration for the health of the woodlands ecosystem.

Concept and Research

The project explored the phenomenon of transformation within the ancient woodlands of the Great Wytham Woods. At the macroscopic level, the entire site is composed of multiple bodies of diverse woodlands of various ages that over time joined up as one whole forest. A crucial element within all ages of woodlands is the presence of decaying wood, the remains of trees once they have “completed” their lifecycle.

At the microscopic level, mycelium networks of a fungus, which are made up of strands of hyphae, break down the dead wood into its constituent parts returning nutrients back into the soil. Therefore, the presence and quantity of decaying wood indicates the richness of nutrients within the ecosystem and the rate of regenerative development.

At the human scale, we can observe the process of decomposition evident by the presence of detritus.

Focusing specifically on fallen decaying wood, and its relationship between the fruiting body of the fungus: the mushroom.

Film Observations

and Cycles

Observing natural movements and flows, building on the the interest in the different levels, heirarchies, and interrlationships of various organisms.

Land Transformation

This place is a semi-natural

of the trees that are here, especially the older ones, have been here since the ice age really?

yeah there were trees planted again sometime in the 17th century and again a third wave of trees in the 1950s and 60s so there’s a lot of varying ages in the forest ... each part of the forest has grown and transformed in its own way

The

Saprotrophic Transformation

sapro meaning rotten material + trophe meaning nourishment + phyte meaning plant

the process of breaking down decaying organic matter into nutrients in order to be reabsorbed and repurposed by other organisms for further growth

Deadwood and Saprotrophic Processes

The Observatory sources local agricultural residues from neighbouring agricultural fields as the substrate feed for the mycelium culture, saving the agricultural waste from common burning practices that release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. However, carbon rich substrates exist on site already in the form of decaying wood. The byproducts of this regenerative agricultural practice is the fungal mycelium networks and the fruiting body of the fungus: the mushroom.

In order to utilise this by-product, the Saprotrophic Observatory features the Substrate Storage and Processor, the Compost Courtyard, the Pasturisation Well, the Fruiting Chambers, and overnight accommodation for research personnel - to utilise the fungal growth as a biodegradable and sustainable building material. The ancient woodland already attracts many visitors, however the Observatory acts as an educational attraction allowing visitor access to observe the fungal cultivation and growth, and understand the benefits of saprotrophy. As well as offering workshops on the Observatory’s exploration and use of sustainable building materials,

Transportation of Mushroom Substrate: Organic Waste

Mycelium Panels

Substrate placed in mould, flour added to help growth, and sealed (pierced for ventilation)

“when in contact with the ground a mycelium panel may start to decompose in about a period of six weeks. On the contrary, if maintained in favorable and stable conditions it can have a lifespan of approximately 20 years”

(Protopapadaki & Kalika, 2018)

04/05/2024

Material Studies: Clay

Project Introduction

The Saprotrophic Observatory is located in the central-western region of the Great Wytham Woods. The ancient seminatural woodlands is a protected ecological research site: “an archive of information”.

The Observatory harnesses the fungal powers of decay and nutrient recycling to create a space for research and experimentation, in order to observe and utilise saprotrophic transformation. The by products of experiementation are mycelium materials, essentially functioning as a circular economy mushroom “farm” . The research facility, or mushroom farm, is nestled on the sloping 1900s plantation of beech, oak, and conifer trees.

The Wytham Woods is under the management of Oxford University and their Ecological Research Department. The Saprotrophic Observatory’s main ethos is to amplify the power of saprotrophy in order to speed up the nutrient recycling process and carbon sequestration for the health of the woodlands ecosystem.

Conditions - 21/07/2024

Conditions - 21/12/2024

The Substrate Storage & Processor

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