ECO FLO FU: A study of (re-)establishing a human – nonhuman connection

2024 || Research Project

Mentored by: Daisy Yoo

ECO FLO FU rethinks the relationship between humans and the rich nonhuman lives around a decaying tree. The study examines a decaying tree sprouting the Ganoderma fungi. This exploration brought about the tension between decomposition and presence of life. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and interpreted creatively. The work resulted in two main outcomes: a data‑visualization module and an anthology‑style manifesto. I approached the project from a first‑person perspective, positioning myself as a spokesperson for nonhumans. I aimed to develop a design lens that can support future designers/ researchers to appreciate the natural world when exploring the ECO FLO FU ecosystem. 

[Design Research] || [Data Inquiry] || [More-than-Human Design]

Why?

Spending time at the decaying willow tree revealed how passersby ignored its vibrant fungal and insect life, despite TU/e's biodiversity claims—whether from distraction or disbelief. This disconnect fueled my curiosity to study it closely, building knowledge and tools future designers can use to reconnect humans with nonhuman worlds.

Scope

Individual study of one decaying willow tree affected by Hoof fungus—no expert input, just my daily observations of fungi, insects, soil, and weather over six days. Focused on specific variables: temperature, air humidity, bark/soil/fungi moisture to trace decomposition dynamics, not to prove any hypothesis. 

Approach

Multispecies ethnography (walks, sketches, photography) captured qualitative patterns alongside quantitative sensing via custom ESP32 probe (DHT22 humidity/temp, capacitive moisture sensors) logging to data foundry cloud. Coded observations against sensor data to reveal causal links between environmental shifts, fungal changes, and insect activity.

Results

The data was translated into a poetry anthology supported by a data visualizer