Patógenos fúngicos en los paisajes arquitectónicos vulnerables de Bogotá: Una mirada transdisciplinar para diseñar desde lo microscópico

This transdisciplinary work, carried out in Bogotá, Colombia, 2024, investigates the presence of pathogenic fungi in vulnerable dwellings in Bogotá and their possible impact on health. Through microbiological analysis in a house located in the Arabia neighbourhood of Ciudad Bolívar in Bogotá, fungi of the genera Trichoderma spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., and Rhizopus spp. were identified. These fungi proliferate in environments with high humidity and poor ventilation, which may negatively affect the quality of life of the inhabitants. The study highlights the importance of integrating pluriversal approaches, promoting a more holistic view of the relationship between inhabitants and their microbiological environment. By raising awareness of coexistence with “other” organisms, it encourages the adoption of preliminary sustainable architectural strategies that not only improve infrastructure, but also enhance environmental health within dwellings. This research underlines the need for an inclusive architectural design that considers the fungal microbiome as an indicator of habitability problems and aims at interventions that address both architectural and environmental factors. Thus, a methodology is proposed that enables the understanding of vulnerable spaces through the microorganisms that inhabit them. This approach is a transdisciplinary foundation for generating sustainable change in popular housing, improving the living conditions and general well-being of marginal communities in Bogotá.