Mr. Kombucha's Lab Ⅱ

Mr. Kombucha’s Lab II is a resource-sharing platform that promotes the use of SCOBY as a biomaterial. The project encompasses four key components: experimental samples, a mobile SCOBY incubator, bag design, and workshop activities. Its goal is to guide people in utilizing SCOBY for DIY household products, to reduce dependence on leather and plastic.

SCOBY, a commonly used acronym for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast," is a byproduct of kombucha production and a high-performance fiber material. Mr. Kombucha's Lab II is committed to promoting SCOBY materials through small-scale workshops, simplifying the intricate processing of SCOBY into a DIY process, and achieving a closed lifecycle from production to recycling.

Today numerous designers and artists have taken notice of SCOBY, actively exploring its application development. However, the processes and tools employed often prove impractical for daily life. Our project streamlines the entire lifecycle processing of SCOBY, from cultivation to degradation, enhancing its accessibility and usability. The project is divided into four parts: Experiment, Cultivation, Creation, and Sharing. Experiment (Part 1): Despite imposing strict tool limitations on ourselves, we've successfully obtained around 80 experimental samples, supporting the summarization of diverse processing techniques. Cultivation (Part 2): Following optimal procedures identified in Part 1, we cultivate SCOBY, integrating iterated processes into a mobile cultivation incubator. Creation (Part 3): Utilizing the SCOBY obtained in Part 2, we can craft everyday items through DIY. For instance, in the popular category of bag DIY, we've designed 6 bags corresponding to 6 invented technologies. Sharing (Part 4): Through workshops, we involve a broader audience in creating DIY SCOBY products. Conducted workshops confirm that the developed processes are moderately challenging yet achievable for individuals with some crafting experience. Additionally, our website serves as a platform to showcase and share our achievements. As a leather alternative, SCOBY material should be practically popularized and applied, contributing to the advancement of sustainable design with a focus on materials.