Steven Hallam

Water to Bricks: harnessing fungal metabolism for sustainable biosolids architecture
Principal Investigators: Dr. Steven Hallam, Microbiology and Immunology, UBC; Dr. Joseph Dahmen, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, UBC
Partner Organizations: John Madden, Carole Jolly, Campus and Community Planning, UBC; Laurie Ford, Metro Vancouver Utilities Residuals Management
The project addresses two interrelated areas of industrial ecology, using biosolids produced by wastewater treatment plants as a resource from which to produce biocomposite-based structural building materials. Mycelium biocomposites, composed of mushroom root structures and cellulose, offer similar performance to polystyrene foams but require little energy to produce, cause no harmful emissions to air or water, and are fully biodegradable. Our aim is to develop a system for producing mycelium biocomposites cultivated on biosolids from wastewater treatment operations and to explore new compression technologies to produce structural building materials from biosolid samples. The project will employ emerging research to move materials engineering beyond biomimicry to programmable design and fabrication, using the inherent capacity of wood fungi to transform “water to bricks”. Project outcomes will include a public architectural installation with the blocks produced that simultaneously engages material performance and cultural significance of water consumption and treatment, as well as scientific journal papers describing key technical contributions.

During his year in residence at the Institute, Dr. Hallam will complete several manuscripts describing innovative screening methods to discover novel biocatalysts from natural and engineered ecosystems applicable to biomass deconstruction. These biocatalysts can be used to engineer microbial communities for modular biorefining processes resulting in more sustainable paths towards energy and materials production. Through the completion of these manuscripts he will redirect his research program through new funding initiatives and begin drafting a book exploring the power of microbial cooperation from both deep time and contemporary ecological perspectives.
Dr. Hallam will also develop a sustainability strategy for ECOSCOPE and work with colleagues at the Institute to develop more effective science communication and outreach programs.