THE LICHEN INCUBATOR
by Justyna Lesny
The symbiotic relationship between lichen and bacteria/ algae is one to be admired; both taking from one another exactly what they need to exist. Dungeness is an unforgiving landscape for many species, yet there is an abundance of lichen. The decommissioning of the Dungeness B nuclear power station has left an unmoving and available environment, specifically its facade. Through the extensive understanding of the properties of lichen, its’ needs and its’ reproduction processes, I propose to create a facade system that collects and cultivates airborne spores and cryptogams. This system responds to climatic factors, with the tiles varying in surface area, shading, material and form according to their placement. The empty nuclear reactor acts as a container of a vast quantity of species of lichen, protecting and initiating their growth in a climate that is threatened by flood. Here in the Incubator, lichens’ unique properties can be researched, harvested and utilised to slowly remediate our environment as part of a balanced relationship that compliments the strategy of Degrowth. This scheme aims to address the ignored condition of our ‘ natural assets’ in a world where our progress is only ever evaluated by economic value.
