Losing Control
'losing control' experimentally explores the potential of control loss as a methodology for a multi-inclusive, post-anthropocentric design in which the vitality - the aliveness - of all participants is paramount. To address this, this work focuses specifically on mycelium, the root-like fiber tissue of fungi that has recently attracted industrial focus in research for ecologically sound products and materials. Thus, mycelium finds application in the development of new building materials, packaging, clothing or meat alternatives, but is dried, and therefore killed, in the production process.
Master-Thesis SoSe 2022
Nik Dommermuth
1st examiner: Professur Interface Design
Vertr.-Prof. Jason Reizner
2nd examiner: Dr. Alexandra Abel
With the help of experiments and observations of interaction, this work artistically explores the possibilities of mycelium to grow into living spaces and to create places of emotional as well as sensory encounter that establish transformative relational structures between human and organism, thereby revealing new ways of knowing, stimulating processes of change, and counteracting the reductionism inherent in human agency.
Two model studies - deliberately unobtrusive pavilion structures - showcase the organism and provide a stage that allows it to unfold as freely as possible, making the mycelium visible, palpable and tangible in its vitality. In interaction with the constructive features of the adventurous architecture, the organism grows into 'xenospaces', places of encounter and alienation that exhaust the capacity of architecture as a reflector and mediator of needs, desires and problems. In this way, the different and equal interests of all participants of the design are constantly being negotiated.