3D-printed furniture is still not as common as regular furniture but we’re seeing a lot of movement when it comes to designs and concepts. Aside from the fact that it’s easy to adapt this in actual production, it can also be sustainable and eventually impactful. Most of these 3D-printing concepts try to create something that’s recyclable or made from recycled materials therefore making it more sustainable than regular furniture.
Designer: Ethan Solodukhin
The Revo Chair Concept, with Revo meaning “revolutionary”, is a collection of 3D-printed furniture and is powered by the PlastiVista Atelier program. The program actually encourages homes, schools, and communities to donate their plastic waste and those that can be used for 3D printing converted into filament. The collection includes the Revo Chair and the Stoool (yes that’s not a typo). They are made from 100% recycled plastic.
The Revo Chair uses a single-piece design and it can serve as both an actual chair but when used with a different orientation, it can also serve as storage. The photos show it’s a box-like storage although it’s not really shown how it can be turned into that although the surfaces can be something you can place objects on. The Stoool meanwhile just serves as a seat with its compact surface, although you can probably also use it as a side table if you want to.
The renders of these chairs reminds me of those small, plastic phone holders that you can get for cheap. The question of course for these 3D-printed chairs would be if they are durable enough and comfortable enough for people to sit in for a long period of time.
With the popularity of fast fashion, there is also a lot of textile waste that ends up in landfills and have not been recycled or upcycled. There are several groups that have been advocating for more eco-friendly fashion that includes not supporting these kinds of manufacturers and looking for ways to have better use for household textile waste. You don’t even have to create new clothes from them but find other uses outside of fashion.
Designer Name: Sze Tjin Yek
The Sorbet acoustic panels is one such project, turning all these shredded textile waste into acoustic panels that can be used for homes, offices, and other commercial spaces. Panels like these are important to minimize noise pollution within closed areas for both the mental and physical health of users. But instead of the usual acoustic panels made from open cell polyurethane, these are made textile waste which have the second lowest recovery rate in Australia after plastics.
These panels are made from 100% laundered and upcycled household textile waste. These are durable enough but of course they need to be bonded together and the inventor used a starch-based glue. And since the textile used have different colors and textures, there are three aesthetic options created: Blueberry Lemonade (blue and gold), Red Velvet (red and black(, and Hundreds and Thousands. The third one uses more color options since textiles are of course varied.
This kind of panel is of course more sustainable than your usual ones that use recycled PET and textile fibers bonded with mycelium. The next step would be to create a process that can make this commercially viable and also look at installation methods for it.
Smartphones today are very complex products, which is why manufacturers have long discouraged or even disallowed owners from opening up theirs just to repair a single part. Most people probably don’t have the skills for that anyway, but the old policies also prevented small third-party businesses from offering more accessible repair services. That has been changing slowly, with more major phone makers finally allowing self-repair to some extent.
Of course, that all hinges on the availability of replacement parts, which isn’t that easy to come by when it comes to official components. Fortunately, the likes of Google have partnered with iFixit to actually sell the most critical parts, opening the doors further to self-repair or third-party services. That includes the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, though the replacement foldable screen might still be beyond most people’s reach.
A foldable phone probably has the most complex design among smartphones today, especially because of its flexible display panel. Unfortunately, that is probably the component that will break faster, which means it will be the one that will get replaced more often. Even more unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive parts of the phone.
The official Pixel 9 Pro Fold replacement screen being sold on iFixit is a prime example of that. Now available for anyone to purchase, the foldable screen alone costs $1,199.99. If it’s your first iFixit self-repair, you might want to buy the screen and a repair kit, setting you back $1,206.99 in total. It’s an eye-watering price tag, especially when you consider that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold itself already costs $1,799.
It doesn’t help that the process for repairing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is, as expected, a bit convoluted and nerve-wracking for novices. Then again, that isn’t too surprising, given the young age of the technology and the rarity of available parts. Most owners probably won’t do the process themselves but iFixit and Google’s partnership will allow small businesses to thrive making repairs for these devices.
Despite those rather large hurdles, it’s still a significant step forward in making smartphones longer-lasting and more sustainable. There will be more options to get the Pixel 9 Pro Fold repaired, even if they’re pricey. It’s definitely a much better situation compared to the past where even opening up a smartphone on your own marks you for some legal trouble.
We’ve thankfully become more aware of the quality of our waters, especially with the increase of pollution or drastic changes in the chemical composition of rivers, lakes, and seas. We now have sophisticated equipment and software to monitor such properties, but it might come as a surprise that Mother Nature has her own way of detecting abnormalities in water. Clams, known as nature’s filter feeders, immediately react to sudden changes in water quality, sometimes even faster than scientific equipment.
Taking inspiration from one of nature’s wonder workers, this art installation turns water quality from an incorporeal idea into a tangible representation. Rather than just clamming up, these kinetic sculptures create an eerie melody, as if giving voice to the pain and woes of the water. It creates a surreal yet beautiful manifestation of water quality in a way that you can see and hear beyond just figures and graphs.
Clams aren’t able to filter out toxins (which they turn into pearls), so they would immediately shut close when they detect pollution in the water. Their reaction is sometimes faster than sensors and computers that still have to analyze the data from water samples, though, of course, they won’t be as accurate or specific. This interesting behavior, however, became the inspiration for this kinetic sculpture that, rather than just detecting water quality, translates the data into something just as interesting.
“Clams” is a collection of, well, translucent clam-like objects that have speakers inside. The clams are connected to a sensor that tests the quality of the water in the only way that humans can. Changes in the water quality are translated into sounds that shift over time, creating the semblance of eerie music. The vibrations from the speaker also cause the clamshell to go up and down, making it look like the clams are singing.
The shells themselves are made from recycled waste plastic, adding to the sustainability message of the sculptures. Although the shape of these man-made clams is quite simple, the otherworldly soundscape it produces is quite unique and memorable. It also creates an interesting bridge between media art, data sonification, and environmental awareness, translating intangible concepts and figures into something humans can better appreciate and understand.
The media focus on rocket launches, moon landings, and Internet satellites has inspired many to look to the stars for the future of mankind. There are still plenty of areas on the Earth that can be explored, but our expansion can only expand upward at this point. But even before we get there, we are already filling our outer skies with dozens if not hundreds of small metal objects known as satellites, and their numbers are only expected to grow as we move forward.
Satellites have various applications, from communication to observation, but none of them so far remain in orbit in perpetuity. We are, thus, facing a two-headed problem of a myriad of these objects cluttering the space around our planet as well as plummeting back down, sometimes with disastrous results. To find out if there are more sustainable options, the world’s first wooden satellite just made its extraterrestrial voyage in the hopes of replacing metal with wood in the future.
Satellites can orbit the Earth for years, but they will eventually be decommissioned and fall back to Earth. Most of their mass will burn up on re-entry, but the burning metal will release dangerous aluminum oxide pollution into the atmosphere. Wood will also burn up, of course, but the effects on the environment will be significantly smaller.
Made from Japanese hinoki or cypress wood, the boxy LingoSat satellite is designed to test the theory of replacing metal satellites with wood-enclosed versions. The sides of the box are held together without screws or glue, using a traditional Japanese craft technique similar to dovetail joints. This method will help minimize the use of metal or potentially toxic materials that would burn in the atmosphere.
The experiment will test how well wood will fare in the harsh environment of space, such as extreme temperature fluctuations, and how well it can shield electronics inside from space radiation. The latter could have useful applications back here on Earth as shielding for semiconductors in data centers. If successful, this design could significantly help solve the problem of space trash and debris falling back down.
The LingoSat wooden satellite launched into space last Tuesday and will be heading to the International Space Station. From there, it will spend six months in orbit at a height of 400km (250 mi) above the Earth. Like any other satellite, it will eventually be decommissioned and fall down but with less fanfare.
With concerns rising about climate change and the demand for eco-friendly solutions, bamboo has become a top choice. The growing popularity of bamboo products is largely due to their positive environmental impact. Though bamboo is commonly found in furniture and flooring, it’s not considered wood but rather a grass with distinct composition and growth patterns compared to tree wood where its tightly packed fibers contribute to its durability and strength.
Those very properties, however, make it quite ideal for some designs, and there is a wide range of applications of bamboo in furniture, accessories, or even architecture. It is becoming a widely-used alternative to wood because of its faster growth rate and ubiquity, not to mention its unique properties and deep roots in antiquity. Here we explore not only the reasons why bamboo is such a popular choice but also the variety of uses it has in contemporary product design.
Why is Bamboo the best material for sustainable product design?
Just like regular wood, bamboo is a renewable resource for production materials. Unlike typical trees, however, it’s often easier to grow and take care of. With minimal chemical and water requirements, bamboo stands out as an eco-friendly material that absorbs more carbon dioxide than cotton or timber and releases oxygen to enhance air quality.
As a material, it also offers plenty of unique properties that make it suitable to replace not just hardwood or metal but even plastic or fabric. Here are some of the reasons why bamboo has become such a darling in the product design industry, especially compared to less sustainable options.
Eco-Friendly Material – Bamboo’s self-regenerating nature and rapid growth with minimal care make it one of the most sustainable alternatives to plastic or metal.
Cost-Effective – Bamboo is an affordable material that allows designers to experiment with the material and integrate it into their designs.
Versatile Material – Bamboo is a versatile material that can be used to create various products like fabrics, towels, brushes, and furniture.
Highly Durable – Despite its lightweight, bamboo offers remarkable tensile strength, flexibility, and durability, making it resistant to wear and tear over time, unlike many other materials.
Strong yet Soft – Bamboo offers durability comparable to popular hardwoods, ensuring long-lasting beauty and functionality.
Grown Naturally without Chemicals – Bamboo is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and its 100% biodegradable fiber grows rapidly due to its grass-like nature
Aesthetically Appealing – Bamboo’s natural sheen and silk-like texture enhance the visual appeal of different products and provide a luxurious feel.
Given the versatility of bamboo, it’s no surprise that it has been used in a wide variety of product designs. It’s not just the usual furniture or accessories either, as some consumer electronics have even adopted this wonder material. Bamboo doesn’t just bring sustainability but also a touch of style to designs that use it.
Of course, not all products can simply use bamboo material willy-nilly, since the material is still wood. With some creative thinking, however, bamboo can be utilized for almost anything, including textile! Here are ten examples of bamboo being used in modern products to elevate their quality both from without and within.
1. Bamboo Furniture
In the Kana Pro Bamboo Standing Desk by FlexiSpot, form meets function in a sustainable package. Crafted with a bamboo desktop that exudes warmth and durability, this desk elevates any home office aesthetic. With its dual-motor lifting system, one can adjust the desk’s height to one’s, ensuring ergonomic comfort. Safety features like anti-collision technology and a child lock alongside an integrated cable tray keep wires organized, while the additional lacquer coating enhances resistance to scratches, water, and insects.
The design is simple and doesn’t hide the wooden nature of the bamboo tabletop. Instead, it proudly displays the grain patterns unique to wood that give the slab its own character. It takes the elegance of natural bamboo strips and puts them on top of an ergonomic desk for a luxurious and comfortable working experience.
2. Electronic Devices
Using wood with electronics isn’t a popular design, especially ones that get exposed to moisture and the elements regularly. Used properly, however, it can turn a utilitarian product into a fashion statement, making a device an extension of one’s character and tastes.
The Bambass headphones are a sustainable innovation that merges bamboo weaving with modern design. Crafted with eco-friendly materials like bamboo and vegan leather, these open-back headphones offer both style and functionality. The adjustable design ensures comfort, while the use of bamboo provides enhanced sound insulation. With a commitment to reducing e-waste, Bambass represents a step forward in eco-conscious electronic accessories.
3. Bamboo Towels
Bamboo is wood and wood is hard, so you’d presume that you can only use bamboo for similarly hard products. Unlike most trees, however, bamboo stalks are actually flexible and fibrous, making it possible to actually transform them into yarn and fabrics. What you get is textile that’s sustainable on many levels while still providing the basic properties of regular cloth.
PANGEA’s Bamboo Adventure Towel 2.0 is not just eco-friendly; it’s carbon-negative, actively removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. Crafted entirely from 100% bamboo fibers, dyed with natural colors, and featuring a waffle pattern for enhanced absorption, it outperforms traditional microfiber towels. Designed for outdoor use, it’s naturally hypoallergenic, and antibacterial.
4. Bamboo Plates
Plates made of wood aren’t exactly new, especially in some cultures that emphasize a strong association with food and nature. Bamboo, however, opens up even more possibilities not only in terms of design but also sustainability. Reusing cutoffs, for example, helps reduce the need for raw materials even further, as demonstrated by this creative plate design.
Knork’s Sustainable Eco Plates feature a unique shape that comfortably holds wine glasses, perfect for eco-conscious entertaining. Made from bamboo and sugarcane offcuts, they contribute to a zero-waste future. The plates’ intelligent design includes space for wine glasses and hanging Knork Eco utensils. Crafted from Astrik resin, they’re biodegradable, dishwasher-safe, and decompose into compost in two years. These durable, sustainable plates minimize environmental impact, setting the stage for eco-friendly parties.
These minimal bamboo-inspired pens feature a magnetic base for self-organization. Designed by Kim Minsu, they resemble the aesthetic appeal of bamboo plants. The pens return to an upright position on the flat base, ensuring easy access whenever needed while adding a stylish touch to any workspace.
This minimalist tea set, designed for a luxury hotel brand in Jintan District, southern China, integrates the region’s renowned bamboo and high-grade green tea. The set, resembling bamboo, comprises a teacup, teapot, and tea spoon that stack to form a bamboo shape, symbolizing the traditional tea brewing process. This design seamlessly blends elegance with functionality, offering a serene addition to any kitchen.
6. Bamboo Toothbrush
There is so much plastic around us that we have become desensitized to their presence and effects on the environment. Even the toothbrushes we use to keep your teeth healthy is pretty much completely made of different kinds of plastic. Considering how often we replace these products, their accumulated numbers in landfills can be quite staggering.
The Everloop Toothbrush features an innovative design that allows for the replacement of its bamboo bristles. Made by NOS, this toothbrush addresses the alarming issue of plastic waste, with billions of toothbrushes being discarded each year. Its handle is crafted from recycled toothbrushes, while a clamping mechanism enables the attachment of 100% natural bamboo bristles. The plastic handle can be retained and the bamboo bristles can be periodically replaced to ensure that minimal plastic waste enters the environment.
7. Bamboo Pet Furniture
Humans aren’t the only ones who can enjoy bamboo-based products. With the rise in the number of pets in households, it’s only natural for pet furniture to also increase, most of which are made using plastic. Of course, not every piece or part of the pet furniture should be made of wood, but careful design can yield interesting results. CatYou in a Circle, for example, is an innovative modular cat furniture designed to serve as a lounge for both owners and pets. This set includes a floor sofa and coffee table, offering a relaxing space for cats and their owners.
Crafted with urban living in mind, it addresses common challenges faced by cat owners in compact spaces, providing hiding spots and play areas within the furniture. The woven bamboo design allows for visibility while maintaining boundaries, and adjustable armrests and washable cushions enhance comfort and versatility. CatYou in a Circle’s design balances functionality, style, and the behavioral needs of both pets and humans, making it an ideal solution for modern living spaces.
Thilina Liyanage’s “Birdie” is a picturesque bamboo glamping villa that resembles a majestic bird in flight. Located amidst a forest in Sri Lanka, this stunning creation showcases Liyanage’s talent for crafting nature-inspired structures using bamboo and wood. Elevated on stilts, Birdie offers occupants a serene view of the surrounding forest, with two levels providing ample space for a family of three. The upper level features a bedroom with a balcony, while the lower level includes a living space, a toilet, and a cantilever hammock for relaxation. With its bamboo, wood, and tile exterior, Birdie exudes the elegance of a swan about to take flight, creating an illusion of being suspended in the air. The spacious interior, cleverly integrated into the bird’s chest and wingspan, offers a comfortable retreat amidst nature.
Turtle Bay, situated by Thailand’s Khao Tao Reservoir in Hua Hin, exemplifies eco-tourism through its sustainable design and use of local materials. Architect Sarawoot Jansaeng-Aram’s concept includes floating bungalows crafted to resemble bamboo turtles, featuring shingled roofs and locally sourced bamboo. Embracing the renowned “Poon Tum” technique, known for its natural ventilation and resilience, Turtle Bay showcases a commitment to preserving the ecosystem.
9. Bamboo Cleaning Brush
Just like with toothbrushes, household cleaning tools are mostly made of plastic. Though some brushes do have wooden handles, their bristles are still made of plastic. It’s possible to use different materials, but the usual plastic alternatives are often too expensive to produce.
This sustainable dish brush features replaceable bamboo bristles, ensuring infinite reusability. Introduced by NOS, the creators of the successful Everloop Toothbrush, this innovation addresses the mounting plastic waste issue. The brush’s concave lid mechanism doubles as a soap container, while its replaceable bristles, made from natural fibers like bamboo and castor beans, are 100% compostable.
10. Bamboo Packaging
Although phone manufacturers have started removing plastic from their boxes, other products continue to ship packaging with plastic wrap or even plastic containers. Wood isn’t always a better choice for this purpose, but bamboo-based materials can actually help bridge the gaps between plastic, paper, and wood.
Global brands are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, with initiatives ranging from extending product lifecycles to sourcing eco-friendly materials for packaging. Sony, for instance, has launched its sustainability campaign by adopting recycled paper goods and locally sourced annuals for packaging. Their Original Blended Material, made from bamboo, sugarcane, and recycled paper, reduces CO2 emissions compared to traditional packaging materials sourced from mature trees. By sourcing materials locally and promoting sustainable practices, Sony aims to minimize environmental impact while delivering quality products.
Even though 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, there is still a water shortage in our planet because only a small percentage of that is safe to drink. It is also pretty expensive to purify water so not everyone can afford to drink safe water, not to mention all the pollution that makes it even more dangerous. There are several research projects out there to come up with eco-friendly ways to do this but this one from Dalhousie University in Canada is probably the cheapest.
Designer: Matthew J. Margeson, Mark Atwood, Jaser L. de Larrea, Joseph Weatherby, Heather
Daurie, Katlyn Near, Graham A. Gagnon, Mita Dasog (Dalhousie University)
This floating solar still from researchers at the Canadian university is able to produce 15.5 cups of fresh water per day, which is 1.5 times the amount that a person needs to consume every day. It is able to do this by soaking up water from below it and then use the heat from solar radiation to evaporate the purified water. It condenses on a dome on top of the still and then the water is collected.
While there are other projects similar to this, what makes it different is that it’s made from old tires that are processed through pyrolysis. The carbon-rich char that is produced from here is mixed into plasmonic titanium carbides. This means that you just have to spend 0.86 cents per liter to purify the water, which is pretty cheap compared to other devices that use precious metals and are therefore more expensive.
The solar still can even generate a small amount of electricity because of the thermoelectric effect. This can be enough energy for water quality sensors although it may be useless for other things since it’s just a small amount. If this becomes successful then lower income communities can benefit from this and get the clean water that they need for every day living.
Drinking, whether it’s water, coffee, or soda, is such an essential part of human life that we usually do it on autopilot. That’s why we also take for granted the vessel we’re drinking from, not realizing how much it can affect not only the taste but also the entire experience. Materials can subtly change the flavor of the drink or even create toxins, while uninspiring designs can affect our moods without us even realizing why we feel so sour or down. More importantly, we rarely take into account how our cups and glasses can affect the health of the planet in the long run. That’s definitely a lot to take in for a single cup, but this simple yet striking glassware makes it all so simple, providing a design that’s not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside, especially for the world we live in.
Glasses, mugs, and cups are so ubiquitous that we barely give them a second look whenever we drink. But like the mess that starts to pile up on our desks or in our rooms, they actually have an effect on our minds and our moods. Drinking from a plain, uninspiring, and rough cup is a completely different experience from using a smooth, beautiful, and luxurious vessel. The latter makes every sip feel special as if enjoying fine wine even when you’re simply drinking water. It uplifts the spirit as much as it nourishes the body.
And there’s the fact that not all drinkware is made equal, even those made from metal and glass. They can have harmful chemicals mixed in that interact with the liquid inside, changing their flavors and sometimes even causing harm to our health. They also slowly kill the planet, especially the numerous plastic drinkware that fill the market and our cupboards. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel great not only because you’re drinking from a beautiful glass cup but also because you know you’re doing your small part to protect the planet? That’s the blissful drinking experience that this exquisite glass cup is offering, made from recycled glass that, in turn, is also completely recyclable.
Why is this the Best Glass Cup
This sustainable glass cup has a beauty that goes beyond just appearances. It uses glass that’s collected and recycled by Taiwan’s largest glass recycling center and the product is a material that’s also 100% recyclable glass. This means that at the end of its life, this beautiful glass cup can be properly disposed of or even recycled for some other use, creating a circular economy that keeps on giving without harming the planet in the process.
Admittedly, that invisible detail might be lost on some people, especially when they’re distracted by the cup’s beauty. Rather than just a straightforward cylindrical body, the glass’s faceted shape has 12 angles that stand for the 12 hours on a clock’s face, symbolizing the cycle of the day and of life. And instead of being clear and transparent, glass-dyeing techniques add a visual flavor to the cup whenever light passes through it and the beverage inside. Each glass is handmade by seasoned craftsmen, which sometimes results in tiny bubbles or traces on the surface of the glass. Rather than being imperfections, these give each cup a unique character and story, adding to the vessel’s charm.
Who this Glass Cup is For
With such a stylish and elegant glass, anyone can experience a more meaningful drink, regardless of their preferred beverage. With a heat-proof handle, holding a cup of your favorite coffee blend is no problem. And with its smooth circular inner surface, cleaning after a drink of wine is no sweat at all. A delight to the eyes and a treat for your lips, this Sustainable Glass Cup turns every sip into a deeper, multi-sensory experience, allowing you to savor not only the unadulterated flavors of your favored beverages but also the gratifying thoughts of supporting a circular economy that will create a brighter and greener tomorrow.
Imagine an office space that’s not only environmentally conscious but also designed to inspire creativity and connect you with nature. That’s what designer Daniil Aron-Mokhov has accomplished with the SCHTAUSS Modular Shed Office. Built from leftover materials from a home renovation and complemented by locally sourced supplies from Vancouver’s small businesses, SCHTAUSS is the perfect marriage of sustainable design and multifunctional beauty.
The process behind its creation was a feat of precision and craftsmanship. After four days of laser cutting and fabrication at a local FabLab, SCHTAUSS was installed on-site in just two days. Situated two meters from the main building, it transforms a quiet corner of the property into a space that merges indoor functionality with outdoor enjoyment.
One of the most captivating features of it is the southern facade, which boasts three operable openings. These aren’t your typical windows, each one is designed to bring in fresh air and natural light while doubling as seating patios. Step outside for a moment of relaxation, or work with the doors wide open to let the breeze flow in. These flexible access points create a seamless indoor-outdoor workspace that’s as refreshing as it is functional.
But the surprises don’t stop there. At the back of the structure, a ladder invites you to explore the rooftop patio, a hidden gem that offers breathtaking views of Vancouver’s mountains. Normally concealed by the surrounding 2.5-meter hedges, these stunning vistas transform the rooftop into a serene retreat, a perfect spot to recharge, brainstorm, or even hold a casual meeting under the open sky.
Mycelium, an intricate mesh of fungal filamentous cells known as hyphae, is formed by fungi across a broad spectrum of organic substrates. Mycelium, known for durability and eco-friendliness, is ideal for creating daily-use products, offering resilience and sustainability for designers aiming to craft durable, environmentally responsible items with minimal ecological impact.
Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, is gaining attention in product design for several reasons:
• Sustainable Material
Mycelium is an eco-friendly material and an alternative to plastic or foam. It’s important to note that mycelium-based products are renewable, biodegradable, and can be combined with agricultural waste products to create composite materials.
Mella is an automated chamber designed for effortless cultivation of various crops at home. Utilizing smart technology, Mella regulates environmental conditions to ensure optimal growth and harvest. With features like a refillable water basin, LED lights, and WiFi compatibility, Mella simplifies the cultivation process for all types of crops, making home gardening convenient and accessible.
• Flexible
Mycelium is a flexible material that can be grown and molded into various shapes and forms. It can be used to create numerous products, ranging from furniture to packaging.
The Grow It Yourself Helmet is a sustainable DIY helmet crafted from mushrooms that actually grows on its own! Created by NOS Design, this innovative helmet is made from mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. It’s 100% compostable, breathable, and impact-resistant, reducing the need for plastics. Partnering with Polybion, the helmet utilizes Fungicel, a mycelium-based material that provides cushioning upon impact. This biodegradable, low-cost alternative promotes sustainability and engages users in a meaningful DIY activity, offering a practical and eco-friendly solution.
• Highly Durable
Mycelium products are strong and durable, their strength and durability depend on their conditions of growth and processing techniques.
• Thermal and Acoustic Insulation
Mycelium has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties and finds its application in the construction and packaging industry, where insulation is essential.
The Foresta System by Mogu is a groundbreaking collection of sustainable modular acoustic panels. Crafted from a unique blend of mycelium and upcycled textile materials, these panels offer organic yet durable noise-reduction solutions for spaces like offices and restaurants. Recognized for its eco-conscious design, Foresta integrates mycelium into its build. With a 100% circular design ethos and advanced wood processing technologies, Foresta combines elegance with innovation, setting a new standard in acoustic panel design.
Jonas Edvard’s Myx Sail / Floor is a groundbreaking sound-absorbing panel, merging mushroom mycelium, hemp, and willow in a 1m x 1m design. Collaborating with nature, he explores mycelium’s flexibility and rigidity within a modular mold, envisioning its seamless integration into living spaces. With a focus on sound absorption, Edvard’s research highlights the viability of mycelium in reducing environmental impact while inspiring a harmonious relationship between design and nature.
• Biodegradable
Mycelium is a biodegradable material that breaks down naturally at the end of its lifecycle thus reducing its environmental pollution.
• Low Carbon Footprint
Growing mycelium demands fewer resources, it does not release a lot of greenhouse gases which makes it better for the environment.
• Material and Product Innovation
Another advantage is that mycelium can be combined with other natural materials like hemp or straw to create stronger composite materials with enhanced properties.
Sneature is a biodegradable shoe crafted with waste materials and 3D knitting technology. Designed by Burfeind, this sustainable sneaker offers an eco-conscious alternative to traditional footwear. Featuring a protein-based 3D knit membrane made from dog hair and a mushroom mycelium sole composed of local vegetable waste, Sneature prioritizes sustainability and customization. With water-repellent properties and a second-skin feel, Sneature combines style with environmental responsibility.
MYC is a sustainable disposable grill made from mycelium and was created by industrial design student Stephanie Singer, MYC offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional aluminum grills. After use, MYC can be left to biodegrade and enrich the soil. With a grate made of bamboo sticks and dried corn cobs as fuel, MYC promotes sustainability without compromising convenience.
• Organic Aesthetic
Mycelium-based materials can offer a unique, organic aesthetic with a natural look, making them attractive to product designers.
Sebastian Cox’s Mycelium pendant lamps redefine production by growing rather than being manufactured. Partnering with researcher Ninela Ivanova, Cox utilizes mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, and scrap willow wood to create these uniquely rustic lamps. Each lamp takes 4-12 weeks to grow and is entirely compostable, showcasing the fusion of natural elements in sustainable design.
What are the disadvantages of using Mycelium?
Although mycelium is a sustainable material, it faces some challenges
• No Standardization
As mycelium is a natural product, its growth is influenced by temperature and humidity, making it difficult to achieve a standardized and consistent product. Note that mycelium growth takes longer and is not suitable for mass production or time-sensitive projects.
‘B-Wise’ by Myceen is a sustainable lampshade crafted entirely from mycelium. This innovative design grows into its unique shape in just 5 weeks, using organic waste materials. With a rugged appearance reminiscent of leather, mycelium offers eco-friendly properties and versatile applications, even extending to architecture and space exploration.
• Moisture Sensitivity
Mycelium-based materials are susceptible to moisture, which can impact their structural strength and lifespan, potentially leading to product degradation if not stored correctly.
• Limited Applications
Mycelium-based products have limited applications and may not be suitable for items exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Furthermore, mycelium is yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
Fungi could become a game-changer in fireproofing homes. Researchers at a Melbourne university have developed fire-retardant mycelium sheets that offer insulation and can be applied over flammable surfaces. These bioengineered sheets, derived from fungi, are both sustainable and environmentally friendly, emitting natural water and carbon dioxide. The aim is to enhance fire safety in buildings while minimizing environmental impact.
• Costly Material
The costs associated with research and development contribute to the expense of producing mycelium-based products, making them economically unfeasible for certain applications.
Why is Mycelium becoming a popular construction material?
Mycelium-based building materials are crafted via myco-composite manufacturing which blends mycelium with agricultural waste such as straw, sawdust, or hemp. This mixture is poured into molds and left to settle for several days. During this time, the mycelium digests the agricultural waste, bonding with it to create a sturdy, cohesive material. Once fully grown and solidified, the material is removed from the molds, and ready for construction use.
Although this eco-friendly solution is still under study for its strength and durability compared to conventional options like bricks, mycelium finds applications in insulation, soundproofing, and lightweight construction blocks.
“Alive” is a groundbreaking architectural prototype by The Living. This innovative structure utilizes probiotic materials, showcasing the future of sustainable architecture. Crafted from mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, it offers a glimpse into a new era of eco-friendly design. Its organic, porous construction provides a habitat for various microbes while facilitating interaction between humans and microorganisms. Made from renewable luffa fibers, this prototype embodies sustainability and adaptability. “Alive” is not just a concept for the future – it’s a practical solution for creating healthier, more environmentally friendly spaces today.
Urban Reef is a 3D-printed mycelium-based structure designed to enhance biodiversity in cities. Developed by a Netherlands-based company, this innovative project aims to stimulate water circularity and support diverse ecosystems within urban environments. Utilizing porous materials like ceramics and mycelium composites, Urban Reef creates an ideal habitat for fungi and vegetation to thrive, promoting sustainable urban ecosystems without human intervention.
