The project focuses on growing mycelium tiles using waste streams from Central Saint Martins University in London, the context where it was conducted. By upcycling local waste, it aims to highlight the potential of waste as a valuable resource for design and mycelium as a sustainable material, showcasing an innovative approach to utilizing waste for material innovation.
Role • Design Research, Scientific Research, Design of Experiments, Prototypes, Photography & Videography
Team • Eleonora Rombolà, Cassandra Quinn, Carolina Kyvik Ruiz, Kit Ondaatje Rolls, Marie Melcore
Partner(s) • MA Biodesign Central Saint Martins
Turning local waste streams into a precious resource
The process began with studying fungi and mycelium growth stages. Various waste materials from university workshops and cafeterias were tested as substrates, such as coffee grounds, wood chips, paper and textile waste. Optimized recipes were developed through iterative experiments, and the final mycelium tiles were molded using CNC-printed shapes inspired by water-retaining seed surfaces. Potential applications for the tiles include sound absorption for interior design.
Gray oyster mushroom - day 5
Gray oyster mushroom - day 13
Rhino model CNC-printed into a 3D object (1) used to vacuum form the molds (2) to grow the mycelium tiles (3)
final tiles
final tiles
preliminary growth experiments with smaller tiles to optimise the substrate recipe