FUNGI – an exploration to the future possibilities of Mycelium as a material

Mycelium is seen in the field of design as a potential future material in various applications. This is due to its attractive properties: mycelium is easy to grow and can feed itself with any waste material, it is also fire resistant, detoxifying, grows into any shape and is incredible strong.  

During the Bio Materiality course students harvested, cultivated, grew and designed with fungi. Furthermore, the students asked critical questions such as what are my responsibilities when working with a living organism? What if the food was packed in a biodegradable container enhancing its original flavour? Could the package be an edible condiment itself? 

Projects: 

1. Nina Hyry: Mycelium study: Mycelium has a wide range of good properties that could be applied to our everyday objects. 
2. Jenny Lagus and Johanna Tarkiainen: Biodegradable packaging research book
3. Eveliina Juuri: Fungi and Fibers: Material exploration with oyster mushroom in different fiber form growth mediums.
4. Sofia Schleutker: Hyphoscope (movie): A speculative concept – A tool for reading what fungal hyphae communicate. 
5. Chiao-Wen Hsu: 10 Questions to Keep in Mind When Designing with Living Organisms 

The team: 

• Students: Niina Hyry, Sofia Schleutker, Eveliina Juuri, Jenny Lagus & Johanna Tarkiainen, Hsu Chiao-wen (Department of Design, Aalto University School of Arts Design and Architecture)
• Teaching team: Anna van der Lei, Pyry Veteli (Luke), workshop master James Evans (Biofilia)