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MoMA Hy-Fi

MoMA HY-FI

NEW YORK, USA 
DAVID BENJAMIN, THE LIVING ARCHITECTS, ARUP

2014

As a part of the MoMA Young Architects Program, the organic tower was designed by David Benjamin. The temporary outdoor pavilion represents an innovative use of organic building materials.  
Organic bricks that form the structure are made from microscopic, fibrous funghi – a mushroom mycelium bound to agricultural waste. The boundary creates a strong, resilient and flexible matrix that is used for brick production. To cultivate bio-bricks the unique moulds have been designed. These moulds are covered with the light-refracting film and used to construct the top of the structure to orient light to the interior.
 
To create a pleasant microclimate inside the pavilion, a stack ventilation strategy is used. Hot air flows out from the top while cool air stays inside. Bricks are placed in the way to create small gaps in between. The shape of the structure is designed as united three chimneys with a wide base so it can resist the harsh wind.
 
The pavilion that was used mainly for the summer music series have been removed after a couple of months. The bio-bricks were composted and light-refracting film has been sent to the developer for further research. So, the structure designed based on computer engineering and bio-material technologies, became a nearly zero carbon footprint construction.
 
 
source: arup.com

 

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