The Symbiotic Growth Mask blends nature and human to create a living, breathing piece of bodily architecture. The mask’s primary purpose is to mediate between the wearer and the environment while symbolizing the cyclical process of life, growth, decay, and renewal. This mask not only serves as a protective or functional device but also as a living organism that thrives alongside the wearer. Composed from moss and lichen, the mask uses these natural living which thrive off the carbon dioxide exhaled by the wearer. In return, they help purify the air by converting CO2 into oxygen. The organisms also contribute to natural air filtration, acting as biofilters for toxic substances in the environment. Mosses are particularly effective at absorbing particulate matter from polluted air, making the mask a natural air purifier. Over time, the living material grows, responding to the wearer’s environment and breathing patterns emphasizing a symbiotic relationship. At the end of its functional life, the frontal pod of the mask can be composted returning nutrients to the soil. It can then grow into something new exemplifying a cradle-to-cradle lifecycle. The concept of the mask focuses on the interconnectedness of life and death, growth and decay. As the living organisms on the mask grow and the materials naturally decompose, the wearer becomes a part of this life cycle. The mask draws attention to questions of sustainability in the built environment and the urgent need to engage with in sustainable and regenerative ways
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Symbiotic Growth: Extending Life Cycle
