Advancements in the craft of growing structures with mycelium-composite materials

Abstract: This paper presents advancements in architectural-scale design and fabrication techniques of mycelium composite materials. A series of experiments and prototypes are presented in this paper which explore myco-materials in their intermediate stage of cultivation when they are alive and flexible. The prototypes were made through novel hang-dry methods, which permit myco-materials to take forms otherwise not possible or inefficient using typical casting, or formwork-based approaches. The craft and complexity of cultivating fungi-based structures will be discussed, the background and development of the novel methods will be detailed, and the limitations associated with growing myco-structures will be reflected upon.