Mycelium-Based Composites in Art, Architecture, and Interior Design: A Review

Abstract

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) have attracted growing attention due to their role in the development of eco-design methods. We concurrently analysed scientific publications, patent documents, and results of our own feasibility studies to identify the current design issues and technologies used. A literature inquiry in scientific and patent databases (WoS, Scopus, The Lens, Google Patents) pointed to 92 scientific publications and 212 patent documents. As a part of our own technological experiments, we have created several prototype products used in architectural interior design. Following the synthesis, these sources of knowledge can be concluded: 1. MBCs are inexpensive in production, ecological, and offer a high artistic value. Their weaknesses are insufficient load capacity, unfavourable water affinity, and unknown reliability. 2. The scientific literature shows that the material parameters of MBCs can be adjusted to certain needs, but there are almost infinite combinations: properties of the input biomaterials, characteristics of the fungi species, and possible parameters during the growth and subsequent processing of the MBCs. 3. The patent documents show the need for development: an effective method to increase the density and the search for technologies to obtain a more homogeneous internal structure of the composite material. 4. Our own experiments with the production of various everyday objects indicate that some disadvantages of MBCs can be considered advantages. Such an unexpected advantage is the interesting surface texture resulting from the natural inhomogeneity of the internal structure of MBCs, which can be controlled to some extent.

Mycelium-Based Composite: The Future Sustainable Biomaterial

“…The application of microorganisms in biomaterial production especially in the construction and packaging sector is the anticipative technology in the near future to bring environmental sustainability [ 14 ]. The concept of using mycelium as a material was started in 2007 [ 24 ], by the Evocative company owners Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre [ 25 ]. This company produces high-quality packaging products that can be 100% recyclable and nontoxic [ 26 ].…”

“… Different mycelium-based materials [ 8 , 13 , 24 , 30 , 33 , 58 , 62 ]. Leather-like materials, with companies in Indonesia, Italy, and the United States having already released promotional material and prototypes in fundraising campaigns, and they are twice cheaper than convectional materials (a).…”

“…e concept of using mycelium as a material was started in 2007 [24], by the Evocative company owners Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre [25].…”

Wood-Veneer-Reinforced Mycelium Composites for Sustainable Building Components

“…The use of mycelium-based composites as building materials has been explored in recent decades [ 15 ]. The most common approach has been to create mycelium building blocks that are assembled into larger structures.…”

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling up Architectural Applications of Mycelium-Based Materials with Digital Fabrication

“…There has been a recent surge of publications reviewing research and applications of mycelium-based materials in architecture, and while many have similarities, there is also a broad range of stances and scopes [ 4 , 15 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Most of these reviews focus on applications of mycelium-based materials for bespoke architectural prototypes and installations.…”