Puffed Rice Bales
Team: Terreform ONE, Mitchell Joachim (PI), Vivian Kuan, Avantika Velho, Brook Boughton, Michael Aiardo, Peder Anker, Mamoun Friedrich-Grosvenor, Claudia D'Auria, Grace Jung, Sky Achitoff
Client : Tallin Architecture Biennale 2022
My Role: As the resident biodesigner, I researched and developed novel rice biocomposites for this project and led the scaling from sample to large batch manufacturing. In addition to fabrication, I also helped conceptualize the project and generate diagrams and exhibition narratives to elucidate its meaning.
2022
Brooklyn, USA
Urban Rewilding Through Edible Modules
Puffed Rice Bales, a modular, plant-based architectural system aimed at urban rewilding and crisis sustenance. These edible components, crafted from parametrically cast rice and carbon-neutral mycelium, serve as nutrient-rich facades and habitats for humans and wildlife, promoting biodiversity in urban environments. The project integrates biotechnology, modular design, and sustainability, offering an innovative solution for crisis response and ecological restoration.
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Consumption
This bale reflects the percentage of global rice consumption of white, red, and black rice, respectively.
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Impact
Reflects the environmental impact associated with rice cultivation globally. The cutouts are representative of the land use, water use, and agricultural methane emissions.
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Balance
This bale indicates the reduced environmental impact global rice cultivation could have if we employed more sustainable practices. Water use could be reduced by up to 20% and methane emissions by up to 50%.
