SPIRIUM

A multi-sensory installation, depicting a speculative symbiotic space exploration habitat, biodesigned.

abstract

This installation is inspired by sustainability, biology and space exploration. Biodesign has a unique potential to help us design closed loop regenerative systems in different industries here on Earth; yet, it is still considered a fringe alternative to conventional technologies. Space exploration, however, introduces unprecedented challenges that require radical design and technological solutions. Nature driven design could be integral in developing such solutions.

This speculative multi-sensory installation aims to show the audience a living life support system, inspired by nature and created with biology. This symbiome is designed to create a closed loop bioregenerative system that promotes harmonious co-habitation among humans, fungi and microorganism.

In this habitat, humans provide stewardship for the other organisms, assuring a thriving environment for these non-human lifeforms. The fungi and microorganisms, too, play a part in creating a habitat that supports life, while also providing humans with essential resources, such as oxygen, food and biomaterial.

inspiration

inspired by symbiosis in nature

Lichen

Lichen is a symbiosis between the root system of fungi, called mycelium and photosynthetic micro algae. In this mutualistic relationship, the mycelium provides a safe environment for the micro-algae and in return the algae supplies the fungi with nutrients.

Radiolaria

Also known as Radiozoa, are protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into the inner and outer portions of endoplasm and ectoplasm. The elaborate mineral skeleton is usually made of silica.Radiolaria have an endosymbiotic relationship with micro-algae, performing a similar exchange as in Lichen.

concept

This living farm is a bioregenerative system, inspired by symbiotic forms and function in nature. It consists of a mycelium skeleton, modeled based on the Radiolarian mineral skeleton. The mycelium produces fruiting bodies(mushroom), while serving as the structure holding the algae capsule. The inner portion of the system contains a glass membrane that grows micro-algae. The algae photosynthesizes, using light(grow light), co2 produced by the fungi and nutrients provided by bacteria recycling organic food waste.

master plan

The fantasy of long-duration space exploration and settlement may become a reality as early as 2030 (SpaceX timeline). And whether we embark on this journey by choice, to explore new frontiers, or desperation, to escape an inhabitable earth, we will face a plethora of unfamiliar challenges. Given the inevitability and urgency of this future, we need to actively and collectively create a manifesto and design technologies that allow us to thrive as a multi planetary species.

SPIRIUM aims to illustrate a different imagined future for space exploration design: One that is organic, regenerative and in symbiosis with the companion species that we will cultivate in space.

interactive schematics

click on an object to learn more about it…

audience experience

This installation immerses the audience in a surreal, intimate and multi-sensory environment where they experience what a symbiotic habitat could be like in the future of space exploration. It engages the audience’s five senses, including tactile and olfactory. The audience can touch the living structures and feel what mycelium material feels like.They also smell the scents produced by the fungi.In addition, the audience actively participates as an integral element of this closed loop system by breathing, consuming the bio-designed ‘fruits’ and disposing of their food waste.

key goals and objectives

interpretive hierarchy

big idea:

The specific issue that this piece aims to address is access to resources such as food and material in long-duration space travel. Given that we can only load a finite amount of cargo on a spacecraft, it is critical that we substitute traditional nonrenewable material with regenerative material. Bio-design could help us restructure the way we create by allowing us to grow multipurpose organisms that could produce oxygen, be consumed as food and used as bio-material to build our environment.

key messages:

SPIRIUM demonstrates how biodesign enables us to grow multi-purpose organisms that could be used as a source of food, oxygen and biomaterial. How it can help restructure the way we design and generate our environment on earth or in space. It could improve life on earth by providing us with regenerative designs and circular systems that will help us live symbiotically with other species on our planet, while empowering us to pursue long-duration space exploration and multi-planetary settlement.

This installation creates a beautiful, exciting and novel image of the future, where we use bio-design not just to grow food, but to grow the environments that we live in, and the artifacts we use. This imagined future is organic and regenerative and different from the highly automated and sterilized image of the future portrayed in the mainstream.

In addition, it highlights the importance of stewardship and the relationship between us and the organisms we cultivate and rely on for oxygen, food and material in space; since our failure to care for them would end in our demise.

critical questions:

This installation generates curiosity and promote discussion around the limitations of long-duration space exploration. It will engage the imagination of our audience to view such challenges as novel design opportunities that could also improve life on earth’s changing environmental landscape: How can we leverage biology, design and technology to create regenerative solutions for life on earth and beyond?