WHY
(COW)
SHIT
MATTERS
MAIZE
Shit's origin
'MAIZE IS PROJECTED TO BECOME THE MOST FREQUENTLY GROWN CROP IN THE WORLD BY 2050.'
WHY MAIZE?
Maize is a crop grown across the
world primarily to feed cows, it is estimated to double in global demand between 2012 and 2050, which would make it the most frequently grown crop in the world. When maize is harvested, the husk of the crop is often not used as part of the animal feed, in which case it is either left on the field or burnt. My explorations investigate the viability of using maize husk to make biodegradable cladding and insulation materials.
'CLOSE TO HOME'
(SCROLL)
MATERIAL PROPERITES
MATERIAL EXPLORATION
AMAIZEING
I have been working specially with the waste byproduct husk material which have extremely strong and waterproof natural fibres. By boiling down the husk to abstract these fibres, I have produced a series of biodegradable material prototypes
HUSK
FABRICS
1.
By mixing the fibres with potato starch I created a series of husk basics with a range of opacity and colour. These could be installed as panels or internal screens.
HUSK
TENTS
2.
Taking this further, could we be soon camping at Glastonbury in biodegrade tents made from maize husk? This prototype provided the inspiration for the lean-to canopy.
HUSK CLADDING
3.
By drying and ironing the husk, could maize be used to as a waterproof veneer cladding material that could be used both internally and eternally.