Pulp Faction: 3d printed material assemblies through microbial biotransformation

Abstract

The world is currently facing an ecological crisis of unprecedented scale and urgency and, as the building sector is a significant contributor to the current state, it must look towards radical change to achieve a sustainable practice. The most destructive environmental impact is found in material extraction, processing and discharge. This paper presents an alternative to industrially mined and synthesised materials by utilising biological growth processes as passive engines for the transformation of renewable materials. This is achieved through fungallignocellulosic composites which have been developed along with the design and fabrication processes that are necessary for their application in the construction industry.