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Fungus Follows Function is a self initiated research project and was handed in as part of my bachelor thesis. Bachelor Thesis Book and Poster was developed together with Munich based design studio Daily Dialogue.

This project combines industrial design with biology, mycology and chemistry to explore new ways of using circular materials to replace linear products.

Mushroom (=Fungus) based materials are currently in an early stage of development, although already produced by some companies in larger scales. Properties can range from a styrofoam-like material to something like leather. It is called the "future of plastic" for a reason, it is:

• lightweight

• sturdy

• fire retardant

• floating

• customisable

• 100% natural

• compostable

• scalable

What's a Fungus?

Fungi are the great recyclers breaking down and distributing all organic matter. A Fungus is an organism somewhere between animals and plants. It consists of mycelium, a network of cells that act as a whole. 
What we typically know as a mushroom is only the fruit body of a much bigger organism. Paul Stamets calls it the "Natures Internet" as it connects trees and plants to exchange informations and nutrients.

What's out there?

Mushrooms can be manipulated and mixed to create entirely new types of materials. So far, it can vary from being like a plank, brick, strong leather or styrofoam. Entrepreneurs, Designers and Artists have already started use the materials for packaging, insulation, furniture and building.

While some pioneers like Ecovative are already selling to major companies, the research is still new and we can expect breakthrough developments in the next years. For more information check out these links:

• Ecovative

• Mycoworks

• Officina Corpuscoli

Endless opportunites

Fungus Material Pioneer Philip Ross explains opportunities for fungus design.

Prototyping

To get a feeling how this works, I dived in head first. I ordered some mushroom spawns and substrates and just got to work.

I had a lot of contamination in these tests, so a crucial step was to create a clean working environment and process

Building a grow lab

Working with mushrooms, access to a lab is difficult.
Usually, labs try everything to keep these organisms out. To provide a clean environment, I built a growlab with HEPA working station. 

Work Station

Experiments

Substrates

Substrates come from a local brewery, coffee shop and retailers. 

From Mushroom
to Fungus

1 - Mushroom

3 - Grow and extract pieces

5 -Extract

7 - Grow in mould

2 - Extract a piece

4 - Grow in liquid nutrients

6 - Mix with substrate

8 - Dry

This is a selection of samples, many more tests have been produced. The main casting moulds, two seats and a scale surfboard were unfortunately lost to mould (the "bad" fungus).

Exhibitions

The project was exhibited at „Einblick“ and „NeuNeuNeu“, the official Degree show and a separate, curated exhibition for graduates.

Thesis

The project is documented and explained in detail in my bachelor thesis. Artwork in collaboration with Daily Dialogue.

Additionally, it contains a theoretical work on the role of industrial design in a changing world.

Let me know if you are interested in more content.