Episode 4 - Learning through Playing with Mark Parsons

For the fourth episode in our podcast series, we talk to Mark Parsons, sustainable pioneer from Studio Polpo- a social enterprise based in Sheffield. They bring together unexpected disciplines, marginal communities, artists and funding to tackle important contemporary issues, while having fun.

Their studio designs flexible/mobile/changeable architecture and implements innovative use of materials, all whilst developing these ideas in practice. They investigate, analyse and collate information for dissemination to facilitate a positive change.

Their design of "the Heeley mushroom project" uses mycelium, which is the vegetative part of the mushroom, to explore a low-carbon construction method in architecture. With the help of children from a local school, the Studio prompted sustainability through nature, building and architecture.

Guest Speaker: Mark Parsons, Studio Polpo
Host: Samuel Galloway & Zhiyao Zhou, SfCA