Symbiotic Associations // March 2016

Fab Lab BCN

The purpose of the course is to explore the relationship between digital and biological manufacturing, as multi-scalar construction techniques. The Workshop will be based on defining a theoretical and experimental framework focused on the convergence between Digital Tectonics and Organic processes. We will focus on the association between biology and architecture in order to manufacture biological mechanisms.


CONTEXT

Humans are adept at inventing toxins yet equally inept at eliminating them from our environment. Due to current trends, our exposure to dangerous chemicals increases with time as our environment becomes more polluted.



Mushrooms may turn out to be important keys to both human and planetary health. Their indispensable role in recycling organic matter has long been known. Mycelium can be selected and trained to break down toxic waste, converting it into harmless metabolites. Mushroom allies may even be able to detoxify chemical warfare agents. The use of fungi to improve environment’s health by filtering water, in order to help trees to grow in forests and plants in gardens, is one facet of a larger strategy called Mycoremediation, acording to the mycologist Paul Stamets.



The broader meaning of Mycoremediation is the process which fungi degrades or removes toxins from the environment. Mycoremediation practices involve mixing mycelium with contaminated soil, by placing mycelial mats over toxic sites. The powerful enzymes secreted by specific fungi are able to digest lignin and cellulose, the primary structural components of wood. These digestive enzymes can also break down a surprisingly wide range of toxins that have similar chemical bonds with wood.





SYMBIOTIC ASSOCIATIONS

In this context, Noumena, Green Fab Lab and Fab Lab Barcelona present SYMBIOTIC ASSOCIATIONS workshop. The purpose of the course is to explore the relationship between digital and biological manufacturing. We will focus on the association between biology and architecture in order to manufacture biological mechanisms.



During the workshop, participants will be involved in a dynamic workflow, studying algorithms based on recursive systems associated with organic and digital manufacturing. The Workshop will be divided into two main phases:


TOPICS


TUTORS / LECTURERS

Aldo Sollazo, Ronald Postma and Mauro Jannone.

Organized by: Noumena + IaaC: Green Fab Lab & Fab Lab Barcelona


DATES

March 18th to 20th, 2016

SCHEDULE

Friday 18th // 10 am to 18pm

Tour at Green Fab Lab

Basics of 3D modeling in Rhinoceros

Basics of Grasshopper

Recursive iterative methods



Saturday 19th // 10 am- 18 pm

Advanced Topics of looping

Simulation of material growth

Prototyping with additive manufacturing techniques



Sunday 20th // 10 am – 18 pm

Experimenting with Mycelium

Final presentation session


PLACE

GREEN FAB LAB

Ctra. BV-1415 (Horta-Cerdanyola), km 7

08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès

Barcelona - Spain

+34 617351890


FEE FOR PARTICIPANTS

Option 1 = 250€ + IVA

Basic - Transportation to the Green Fab Lab is included



Option 2 = 350€ + IVA

Premium - Accommodation and meals included at Valldaura



Students = 20 % Discount


REGISTRATION

You can book this workshop using the online registration form



For more information please e-mail at:

info@fablabbcn.org

jonathan@fablabbcn.org