Mortar Structure defines a porous installation by Raza Zahid
Morphosis by Raza Zahid is an experimental installation which transforms is rejected paper in a living spatial system. Developed through paper research waste and growing microgreens on paper substrates, the project investigates how the growth, decomposition and material reuse can coexist within an architectural context.
The installation occupies a 5 × 5 × 5 meter volume defined by slender powder-coated metal frames, each supporting clusters of hand-formed paper-concrete branches. Based on traditional papier-mâché techniques, shredded paper is reconstituted into a structural medium capable of retaining form, texture and capacity to accommodate plant development. Collectively, these panels create a porous spatial envelope that reconstructs the visual and structural memory of a tree. Each element is unique, shaped by hand and marked by traces of material, producing variation in density, light and shadow throughout the volume.
Spatial conditions within the installation vary as one moves through it: passageways shift between compression and openness, light passes through uneven surfaces, and shadows interact dynamically throughout the structure. The resulting environment occupies a space between interior and exterior, recalling the scale and texture of a grove within an industrial setting.
light and shadow weave a quiet labyrinth on the floor | all images courtesy of Raza Zahid
Biological processes and craftsmanship activate a system of living material
Morphosis incorporates a temporal dimension by growing microgreens directly on plasterboard surfaces. The growth and eventual decay of vegetation introduce cyclical changes, making the installation responsive to time and biological processes. The surface becomes a landscape and the structure acts as a host for life.
The project by designer Raza Zahid is also into handicrafts and manufacturing. It involves intensive manual processes and training of manufacturers to understand the behavior of paper concrete, bridging traditional knowledge with modern experimental practices. This integration of material innovation, ecological processes and handcrafted production positions Morphosis as both a spatial experiment and a living demonstration of material-conscious sustainable design.
Combining recycled materials, biologically active surfaces and modular construction, the installation introduces organic complexity and softness to a rigid industrial environment, creating a spatial condition reminiscent of ecological systems within urban and industrial contexts.
surrounded by paper branches
branches gather in unique compositions, creating shifting layers of opacity
through the mesh of paper branches
green begins to envelop the structure
each gathering of branches and greenery is unique
a tall narrow entry increases both verticality and intimacy
a vertical branch that rises 5 meters
