Fungal Architectures

Imagine a circular production leading to new kinds of architecture Fungal Architectures is a project investigating the architectural potentials of mycelium-based materials. Rather than considering these simply as replacements for existing materials, the approach of the project aims to be more disruptive. The project seeks to answer how these materials, and their properties can lead to new kinds of architecture, new kinds of architectural production, new methods of design and the embodiment of alternative values and ethics for a society with enhanced ecological awareness.

Mycelium-based materials are gaining increased attention as viable construction materials. A key characteristic of their production and life cycle is that they can be grown using renewable feedstocks and are expected to be fully biodegradable – critical factors in circular production and making them promising alternatives to less-sustainable materials currently in use. These materials are based on the growth of the three-dimensional fibrous network of fungi. Another interesting property is that they can be considered as computing substrates when in their living state.