Slime Mould
Allen Bell, Eda Sefa, Marlene Mautner
2024
The “Slime Mould” project explores the intersection of biology, architecture, and computational design by studying Physarum polycephalum, a unicellular organism with remarkable problem-solving abilities. By observing its self-organizing growth patterns, researchers draw insights into alternative spatial configurations that could inform architectural and urban planning strategies.
Slime mould exhibits decentralized intelligence, efficiently connecting food sources through optimized pathways. This project examines its behavior in controlled experiments, placing food sources on agar plates and analyzing the resulting networks. These patterns are compared to human-designed infrastructures like transportation systems, highlighting their efficiency and adaptability.
Computational simulations extend the research by modeling slime mould’s decision-making processes. These bio-informed models offer alternative spatial configurations that dynamically respond to changing conditions, enhancing adaptability and resilience in architectural design. The findings contribute to biomimicry, where natural systems inspire sustainable and efficient human applications.
Beyond practical applications, the project challenges traditional top-down design approaches, advocating for emergent, bottom-up systems. This perspective aligns with contemporary ecological design discussions, emphasizing the integration of living systems into architecture.
