Dilara is an architect. She is interested in using natural materials in architecture with the help of computational design tools. Dilara’s interest in the material began while she was studying for her master’s degree at the Royal Danish Academy, CITA Studio. She is still continuing her research and is looking for different ways to apply natural materials in architectural systems. The project described for this form explores one of the questions that Dilara asked during her dissertation: what are the potential production techniques that can be used to produce mycelium based structural elements in architectural design?

Dilara was searching different methods for making scaffolds to grow mycelium and form an architectural element. In her dissertation, she investigated weaving surfaces with different threads types to build scaffolds. In this project, Dilara focused on different digital production workflows for the wooden scaffold and looked for more sustainable production alternatives. As a result, because the project was aiming to relocate mycelium structures throughout the year, the wooden moulds were designed so that the structure can be disassembled and reassembled in it’s new surrounding. A small-scale prototype was produced using a laser cutter. A fixture was designed to assemble the laser cut plywood pieces and it was 3D-printed.