“Festivals are micro cities - what's done on this scale can give an insight on society. When you push together new ideas and the wonderful feeling of being together - that sense of community and music - you can then push a lot of social and climate awareness." stated project lead, Ben Price.
The Glastonbury Festival is getting a sustainability touch up—a new pavilion has been developed and constructed entirely by mushroom roots. The Hayes Pavilion’s structure has an overall aim to evaluate how roots can be incorporated into projects like these and inevitably be implemented into more creative industries. Named the “Project 6°” for its number six shape, its structural rendering is made up of mycelium, or the root of the mushroom, and wood timbers for framing support.
Set to have opened in late June of this year [2023], just in time for the annual festival, Project 6° is paving the way for festivals to transition over to more sustainable options. It proves that vegetation, such as mushrooms, can be a sustainable and sturdy alternative in the construction industry, putting themselves at the top of the innovation chain. The pavilion is set to house an educational museum about the important functions and characteristics of mycelium, and how it can be a strong alternative in the festival industry. It will also be held to immersive sound art by local musicians and academia. The project's design innovation lead, Simon Carroll, approached Price years ago to discuss the potential usage of mycelium and the possibility of building a viable structure. Mycelium roots have hundreds of different strains that, if combined correctly, can be manufactured to build strong foundations. In this case, the project team chose a specific strain that worked efficiently with agricultural waste.
They have also put together an ongoing research project that observes the lifespan and preservation duration of the pavilion; mycelium is a biodegradable material so constant observation is necessary. The team believes that there is a potential behavioral discovery when you pair large communities, like festivals with sustainable innovations—there can be strong appreciation and heavy influence.
"Everyone is connected to each other much like mycelium is a connection of the roots of mushrooms underground. People don't know the power that this material has in our industry - it has the potential to change society in many ways," stated Price.
