Mycotecture: Building with living things

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• December 21, 2023

Insight summary

Mycotecture, a sustainable building material made from fungi, is gaining attention in the construction industry for its eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. It offers a greener alternative to traditional materials, with applications ranging from small-scale projects like the "Mushroom Tiny House" to larger structures like MoMA PS1's facade. This innovative approach, also being explored by NASA for space construction, promises reduced carbon footprints and new job opportunities. However, challenges like durability, regulatory acceptance, and specialized training requirements need to be addressed for wider adoption.

Mycotecture context

Mycotecture uses fungus to create structural elements and building materials. It's a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials, such as concrete and steel. The process involves growing fungal spores into a specific shape, then allowing them to grow into a dense, durable material. Mycotecture materials can also be used for insulation and packaging.

One of the most significant benefits of mycotecture is that it can be customized to meet specific design requirements, making it a flexible and versatile material. An example is the "Mushroom Tiny House," created by Ecovative Design, which specializes in mycelium-based materials. The tiny house was built using mushroom-based insulation and structural components, creating a fully sustainable, energy-efficient home. The materials can be grown in just a few days, making them a quick and cost-effective building option.

Another example is the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) PS1 building in New York City. The building's facade was created using "mushroom bricks" from agricultural waste and mushroom roots. The resulting material is strong, lightweight, and insulating, making it ideal for large-scale construction projects.

Disruptive impact

Several benefits will likely make mycotecture more cost-effective in the long term. The raw materials needed can be locally sourced, reducing transportation costs and overall project expenses. This trend can also lead to the growth of sustainable farming, allowing smaller regions to partner with large construction companies. 

Additionally, mycotecture is being developed to support construction in space as well. For example, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is experimenting with biological strains to produce mycelia suitable for engineering purposes and a fabrication process for shaping the mycelia into blocks and stools. In addition, they developed an adhesive for joining the blocks into components and conducted mechanical testing to assess the strength of the resulting parts. The agency also designed the architecture and developed a mission architecture that would allow for the implementation of this concept on Mars.

However, some limitations need to be overcome before mycotecture can be widely adopted. While mycotecture is strong and lightweight, it may not be as durable as traditional building materials. Further research is needed to determine the long-term durability of mycotecture in real-world applications. As a new building material, it may face regulatory hurdles, so building codes may need to be updated to accommodate this technique. Finally, the material may require specialized knowledge and training to incorporate into large-scale construction projects.

Implications of mycotecture

Wider implications of mycotecture in construction may include: 

• Reduced demand for traditional building materials like concrete, steel, or wood, lowering the industry's carbon footprint.
• The technique requiring innovative and specialized procedures, including growing mycelium in specific patterns and integrating it with other materials. Continued research in mycotecture can lead to advances in biotechnology, materials science, and engineering.
• Alternative solutions for affordable housing, particularly in urban areas where housing shortages and homelessness are prevalent. It may also provide new opportunities for community-driven, decentralized building practices that promote community involvement and ownership.
• New job opportunities for people with specialized skills, such as mycologists, biotechnologists, and construction workers. 
• Reduced waste by repurposing organic materials like agricultural byproducts or forestry residues.
• Governments subsidizing the sustainable construction industry to fulfill their net-zero pledges.
• Unique and creative building designs that can elevate the architecture sector.

Questions to consider

• Aside from wood, would you be open to living in a house built with novel organic components?
• How can governments encourage more sustainable practices like mycotecture?