THE LIVING FLOOR
Today we spend 80 to 90 percent of the day in closed rooms. The floor is the most important object of use and a large part of the overall visual image. The materials we use as floor coverings react only to a limited extent to external influences and changes in the room. Defects such as stains, blemishes, water or fire damage, vermin and other health-damaging factors or simply the aesthetics are reasons to rethink this outdated concept.
What if the floor in our houses is alive?
If we had an adaptive organism under our feet?
The exciting thing about a floor as a living organism is its
adaptability. It adapts exactly to the shape of the room and forms a system
with its environment. It reacts to high levels of carbon dioxide in the air
when there are several people in the room and then produces more oxygen.
By regenerating the cells, it can withstand stress and can react to injuries.
If the floor comes into contact with liquids, it absorbs them and processes
them instead of being damaged by them. If it perceives microbial organisms
(e.g. bacteria, fungal spores), it eliminates the contaminated cell by
programmed cell death, produces suitable antimicrobial substances in the
immediate vicinity of the affected area and thus prevents the spread of
organisms that are harmful to health.
It also has properties such as impact sound insulation, general insulation
effects and regulates the humidity in the room.
Installation
To install a living floor in a room, only one tile is needed – the cell tile.
It consists of two layers: the programmed cell layer and the nutrient layer.
The cell layer is placed on the floor and connected to the nutrient layer.
Growth
The cells become active and start to multiply. The addition of nutrients
controls the spread and growth of the floor. One cell tile is designed for a
surface of 10 m2. For larger rooms, several cell tiles can be combined.
However, if a room is smaller than 10 m2, the soil only grows until it hits the
wall as a reference point. The floor does not form roots, but a supply system
between the cells and so-called vein bundles that transport water and
nutrients. This system must be fed. It is supplied by the sun and for full
function by a nutrient. Through a nutrient funnel formed by the organism,
nutrients are supplied in the form of nutrient balls. Or by an automatic
nutrient system in the house with which it is connected via the funnels.
Red cell tile
It is programmed for rooms with a large number of people, such as family living
rooms or offices. High CO2 processing and production of oxygen, regulates
humidity, etc.
Blue cell tile
Programmed for rooms with high water volume, such as private bathrooms or
public swimming pools. High water absorption, surface with good grip, etc.
Manifest by Anneli Anglas Rodriguez
| student: | Anneli Anglas Rodriguez |
| project: | 2048 |
| year: | 2014/15 |