the
tunnel
view i - 'up-tunnel', 2025
digital / analogue collage
a project from my first year of ba interior design at kingston (2022), wherein we were tasked with creating an exhibition system that highlighted the production of an up-and-coming material; ‘mycelium,’the root-like network of fungus. since then, it has been adopted by the design industry for its self-assembling and versatile abilities.
the ‘tunnel,’ as the focus area of this exhibition proposal, became a storytelling device through which visitors 'feel' the growing process as if it's happening live.
after visiting barcelona during my ‘sandwich year’ (2025) i was inspired to return to the project.
'up-tunnel' 2025
moving image
'the tunnel' iterative sketches, 2022
pen on trace
the site :
pavilion as monument / is this how they built it ? 2025
analogue collage, moving image
an icon of modernist design, the exhibition proposal was to be designed for the barcelona pavilion. designed by ludwig mies van der rohe and lilly reich for the 1929 international exposition in barcelona, the site granted specific journeys, long corridors, expansive vistas, and a blurring of inside and out. the ‘tunnel’placement tunes into their existing grid structure also. visiting the site in the flesh granted me ability to photograph and experience the spaces that i had proposed ‘the tunnel’ within 3 years previously.
green alpine marble + lara, 2025
photoseries
above :
barcelona pavilion entryway, 2022
hand drawn axonometric, 1:50 @ A2
pen on trace
below :
barcelona pavilion plan, 2022
hand drawn, 1:100 @ A2
pen on trace
'relics box', 2025
souvenir / artefact from barcelona
cardboard, paper + other found things
the intervention
/ mycelium takeover ! :
fungus! 2025
photographs
mycelium takeover ! 2025
analogue collage, moving image
what if the entire site became a demonstration of the mycelium growing process? a parasitic intervention. the pavilion as the incubator in which roots can be seen spreading and knitting together, the product being made at large scale. contrast between a controlled, sacred piece of architecture and untameable growth. unsettling ? beautiful ?
mycelium on pavilion plan, 2022
pen on trace
left :
pavilion as incubator, mycelium spread, 2022
pen on trace
right :
mycelium in, on pavilion exterior, 2022
pen on trace
left :
mycelium + pavilion pool, 2022
pen on trace
top right :
b + pavilion pool, 2025
photograph
bottom right :
b + friends over pavilion pool,2025
photo-montage
the interior
/ the exhibition :
exhibition in pavilion main interior, 2022
pen on trace
exhibition in pavilion main interior, iteration 'a', 2022
pen on trace
exhibition in pavilion main interior, iteration 'b', 2022
pen on trace
instead of displaying information literally; audio + visual, books + excessive signage, 'the tunnel' becomes a storytelling device. as you pass through, the structure aims to take the visitors on an immersive journey. a demonstration of the growing process, the process you too can feel a part of, from inception to the final product/material.
'the tunnel' concept development, 2022
pen on A2 cartridge
the mycelium takes form
/ roots become structure :
roots become structure, 2022
concept image
photomontage / digital sketch
taking both the growth patterns of a root system and inspiration from the existing linear language of the pavilion + its iconic steel uprights, the root system becomes structure; uprights, pillars. as visitors pass through the tunnel, the pillars become more frequent. beginning thicker in width but sparser, ending thinner and denser. the pillars mimic the roots closing in and knitting together to form the mycelium panels, which are positioned so as to be at eye level with, to be touched, brushed against as you move through 'the tunnel.'
all 4 above :
roots to structure, concept development, 2022
pen on paper and trace
the tunnel, grows with you, 2025
concept pieces
pen and charcoal on trace
the tunnel, handmade focus area model, 2022
dowels, sponge and uhu
the tunnel, grows with you (2), 2022/2025
concept piece
physical model + photomontage
the tunnel / the experience :
view i - 'up-tunnel', 2025
digital / analogue collage
view ii - 'down-tunnel', 2025
digital / analogue collage
view iii - across from tunnel, looking over, 2025
digital / analogue collage
