Mold as Architecture's Unwanted Living Document

In an essay on ArchDaily, Daniela Andino discusses how mold, as a living entity, reveals flaws in how contemporary architecture interacts with organic materials. Innovations like mycelium panels and living walls get praise, but mold is often dismissed as a nuisance. Andino argues that mold actually provides important insights into a building's conditions over time, such as moisture and temperature changes. She draws on David Gissen's concept of 'undervisualized' natures and highlights projects by Le Corbusier, Adjaye Associates, and O-office Architects, where biological growth reflects environmental factors. The piece contends that while buildings are usually shown in perfect states, mold challenges the idea that structures are entirely sealed, offering a unique narrative shaped by the building itself. This essay is part of ArchDaily's series on Transspecies Architecture.