Urban construction faces a mounting challenge: how to build durable, affordable, and sustainable infrastructure without deepening the environmental damage caused by conventional materials such as concrete and steel. These traditional materials account for a significant share of global carbon emissions, rely on finite resources, and generate large amounts of waste. Mycelium brick, also known as fungal composite or mushroom brick, offers a regenerative alternative. Instead of being mined, fired, or poured, this material is grown—literally cultivated from the root network of fungi.
Mycelium, the vegetative structure of fungi, acts as a natural binder that can fuse agricultural by-products like sawdust, straw, or corn husks into solid forms. The process begins by inoculating a substrate with fungal spores, allowing the mycelium to grow and weave through the material. Once the desired density and shape are achieved, growth is halted through drying or heating, resulting in a lightweight, biodegradable, and fire-resistant composite. These fungal bricks can be moulded into various shapes without the need for energy-intensive kilns, significantly reducing production emissions and costs.
In urban contexts, mycelium-based construction materials could transform how cities grow and repair themselves. Beyond walls and insulation panels, such biofabricated elements could be used in temporary shelters, green infrastructure, and even as self-composting construction systems. Their low weight and modular nature make them ideal for prefabricated and decentralised building methods, an approach that could reduce waste, transport emissions, and the dependency on centralised production chains.
The promise of mycelium brick lies not only in its material properties but also in its philosophy of building in sync with living systems. As cities move toward circular and regenerative design, bio-based materials such as mycelium composites challenge the notion of permanence in architecture and offer new paradigms for urban metabolism, where growth, decay, and renewal become integral to the built environment’s life cycle.
The pioneer of mycelium technology, developing the 'MycoComposite' platform used to grow sustainable building materials and packaging.
A biomanufacturing company using mycelium for construction, researching the thermal and acoustic sensing properties of their materials.
Develops mycelium-based materials for interior design and is researching 'smart' fungal materials that respond to the environment.
A biotechnology company developing carbon-negative insulation materials using mycelium and waste paper pulp.
A licensee of Ecovative's technology in Europe, producing mycelium packaging and interior design products.
Uses fungi to remediate toxic construction waste (like asphalt shingles) and convert it into reusable raw materials.
An Autodesk Studio that designed the 'Hy-Fi' tower at MoMA PS1, the first large-scale structure made of mycelium bricks.
Dutch biotech startup growing living coffins and urns from mycelium, with R&D into other structural applications.
United States · Government Agency
Conducts the 'Myco-architecture' project, researching fungal mycelium as a building material for habitats on the Moon and Mars.
Paper
3D printed gyroid scaffolds enabling strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites for greener infrastructuresNature Communications · Jul 1, 2025
Reports a method for designing strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites using 3D printed gyroid scaffolds, addressing mechanical limitations for practical infrastructure applications.
Paper
Substrate-based mycelium materials for applications in building insulation: Investigation of mechanical propertiesMRS Advances · Nov 10, 2025
Investigates the compressive and flexural strengths of mycelium materials grown on wheat straw substrates, finding properties comparable to commercial insulation like mineral wool.
Article
We think of mushrooms as food. But mycelium-based blocks could be the future of constructionThe Conversation · Dec 15, 2025
Explores how mycelium networks can transform organic waste into construction blocks, addressing climate and waste challenges, with a focus on durability research.
News
Mycelium-based blocks could be the future of constructionUniversity of Technology Sydney · Dec 1, 2025
Discusses university research into improving the durability of mycelium-based materials to make them viable for mainstream construction applications.
Article
Mycelium Bricks: Low-Carbon Alternative to Fired ClayAgassiz Hills · Oct 23, 2025
Highlights mycelium bricks as a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fired clay bricks in construction.
Article
Exceptional Strength of Mycelium-Bound Composite: A Sustainable Brick Alternative for Constructionlink.springer.com
Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) are grown by fungi onto waste lignocellulosic substrate and hence hold significant potential as sustainable materials. However, their wide range of adoption is limited by their typically low strength. Low strength in MBCs is due to the root-like networks of hyphae. The mycelium filaments loosely bind the organic structure, resulting in a porous and lightweight material that lacks the rigidity required for structural applications. This study develops a new method to fabricate MBCs. We use additive manufacturing to fabricate porous triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) scaffolds from wood-Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) material. The porous TPMS structure provides a higher surface area and a continuous supply of nutrition and oxygen for mycelium development. Mycelium from Ganoderma lucidum is grown on porous structures for 21 days. This study considers two types of TPMS structures: gyroid (G) and inverted wrapped package (IWP). The resultant MBCs showed exceptional strength of 14 MPa, comparable to clay bricks. A comparison between porous structure with and without mycelium showed a 1.27 times improvement in peak strength for the G structure and 1.30 times for the IWP structure at 50% relative density. Mycelium growth depends on the relative density of the organic porous structure, with a maximum mycelium density on 10% and a minimum on 50% porous structure, respectively. Furthermore, results showed mycelium growth is dependent on the design of the porous structure, which opens an avenue for advanced and engineered MBCs.
Article
Towards carbon-neutral built environment: A critical review of mycelium-based compositessciencedirect.com
• MBCs store carbon, slash resource demands, powering net-zero building solutions. • Energy-intensive phases drive MBC impacts; renewables slash GWP by up to 68%. • Hybrid MBCs and coatings bolster durability while retaining biodegradability. • Standardization, mass production, and policy shifts spur global MBC acceptance. • Modular design, compostable disposal close MBC loops in a circular economy.
Article
Natural Fiber-Reinforced Mycelium Composite for Innovative and Sustainable Construction Materialsmdpi.com
Fiber-reinforced mycelium (FRM) composites offer an innovative and sustainable approach to construction materials for architectural structures. Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be combined with various natural fibers (NF) to create a strong and lightweight material with environmental benefits. Incorporating NF like hemp, jute, or bamboo into the mycelium matrix enhances mechanical properties. This combination results in a composite that boasts enhanced strength, flexibility, and durability. Natural FRM composites offer sustainability through the utilization of agricultural waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional construction materials. Additionally, the lightweight yet strong nature of the resulting material makes it versatile for various construction applications, while its inherent insulation properties contribute to improved energy efficiency in buildings. Developing and adopting natural FRM composites showcases a promising step towards sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. Ongoing research and collaboration between scientists, engineers, and the construction industry will likely lead to further improvements and expanded applications. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current research and applications of natural FRM composites for innovative and sustainable construction materials. Additionally, the paper reviews the mechanical properties and potential impacts of these natural FRM composites in the context of sustainable architectural construction practices. Recently, the applicability of mycelium-based materials has extended beyond their original domains of biology and mycology to architecture.
Article
From Fungi to Foundations: Mycelium in constructionparametric-architecture.com
Mycelium is a viable option in the search for ecologically friendly and sustainable building materials. Mushroom roots provide mycelium, a fungal substance made of fibers resembling roots and the vegetative portion of a fungus. The use of mycelium in constructing materials matches globally set targets concerned with persistence, henceforth offering an eco-friendly, renewable source that is also carbon-neutral, unlike common substances such as cement, plastic, and steel.
Article
A review of recent advances in fungal mycelium based compositeslink.springer.com
The increasing global population and rapid urbanization have led to high consumer demand for construction and other raw materials. Manufacturing of synthetic material usually generate a large amount of waste, resulting in significant environmental impact. Fungi are one of the key biological resources that can be used to develop a wide range of sustainable products including biodegradable materials with promising applications, with zero waste generation during the production process. Mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus can be shaped either into pure mycelium materials or composites. Mycelium can grow its network in lignocellulosic material, combining separate pieces into a solid material which results in Mycelium-Based Composites (MBCs). The attributes of MBCs are influenced by the fungal species, the growth substrate, and the processing conditions. Both pure mycelium materials and MBCs have remarkable advantages as versatile materials because they are porous, elastic, low-density, low-cost and eco-friendly materials with potential applications in various industries. In this review, we provide an overview of the latest developments MBCs considering the possibility of using mycelium for the material-driven design (MDD) approach, and the potential of genetic and biochemical modifications to enhance mycelium properties. We therefore encourage researchers in material science and fungal biotechnology to strengthen their collaborative efforts and address the current challenges in this innovative field.
Article
Mycelium based composites: A review of their bio-fabrication procedures, material properties and potential for green building and construction applicationssciencedirect.com
The quest for green products and technologies for applications in the built environment has led to the birth of a new generation of sustainable materials, among which are mycelium-based composites. They are biocomposites derived from the growth of filamentous parts of fungus on an organic substrate. Their low carbon footprint, low energy and processing cost, biodegradability, and attractive range of properties, have made them highly demanded as alternative materials for use in the building and construction sector. Their bio-fabrication procedures, material properties, and prospects in building and construction applications have hardly been considered in a single review. It was noted that these composites have several potential benefits from economic, technical, environmental, and green credentials perspectives which make them desirable for building and construction purposes. However, their low mechanical properties, high water absorption, and lack of standardized development methods limit their applications to semi-structural and non-structural materials such as paneling, furniture, and decking. Future research should aim at reconciling its varying mechanical properties based on substrate, fungus species, growth condition, and processing method. Also, efforts should target improving its weathering and hydrophilic propensities, and scalability, factors that could undermine its long-term commercial success and applicability.
Article
Challenges and Advantages of Building with Mycelium-Based Composites: A Review of Growth Factors that Affect the Material Propertieslink.springer.com
Scholars and industries are studying the use of fungi-based materials as sustainable alternatives for materials in the several industries. Fungi are the decomposers of nature. They secrete enzymes through their vegetative root that is called mycelium and break down biopolymers of organic matter to simpler structures of carbon-based nutrients. Mycelium-based composites (MBC) are the most widely used form of fungi-based materials. These are foam-like, light-weight, and biodegradable composite materials. Since MBC do not depend on fossil fuels during production, are renewable, and create no waste throughout their life cycle, their use in architectural applications are being increasingly explored. In this chapter, we review the ongoing efforts to explore and enhance material properties of MBC to render them more suitable for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In the AEC industry, MBC are currently used as insulation panels, load-bearing masonry components, and cores for sandwich structures. In this chapter, we review the methods used to enhance the material properties of MBC. Since material properties of MBC depend on various cultivation and post-processing factors, the effect of the growth factors on the final material outcome are reviewed from scholarly papers written and published from 2012 to 2021 related to MBCs and their use in design, architecture, and construction industry.
Article
Your Next House Could Be Made of Mushroomsarchitecturaldigest.com
Article
Engineered mycelium composite construction materials from fungal biorefineries: A critical reviewsciencedirect.com
• Fungal biorefinery upcycles by-products into cheap and sustainable composite materials • Can replace foam, timber and plastic insulation, door cores, panels, flooring, furnishings • Low in density and thermal conductivity, high acoustic absorption and fire safety • Show particular promise as thermal and acoustic insulation foams
Article
A Comprehensive Review on Studying and Developing Guidelines to Standardize the Inspection of Properties and Production Methods for Mycelium-Bound Composites in Bio-Based Building Material Applicationsmdpi.com
Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) represent a promising advancement in bio-based building materials, offering sustainable alternatives for engineering and construction applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape, production methodologies, and standardization ideas related to MBCs. A basic search on Scopus revealed over 250 publications on MBCs between 2020 and 2024, with more than 30% focusing on engineering and materials science. Key studies have investigated the physical and mechanical properties of MBCs, optimizing parameters such as substrate type, fungal species, incubation time, and post-processing to enhance material performance. Standardizing the inspection of MBC properties is crucial for ensuring quality and reliability. Various testing standards, including those from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), European Standards (EN), Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TIS), are utilized to evaluate density, water absorption, compression strength, tensile strength, insulation, and other critical properties. This review highlights the distinction between lab-scale and apply-scale testing methodologies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation protocols. Additionally, the production process of MBCs involves critical steps like substrate preparation, fungal species selection, and mycelium growth, necessitating the implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure consistency and quality. The internal and external structures of MBCs significantly influence their performance, necessitating standardized inspection methods using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning, and surface profilometry. By establishing robust inspection protocols and production standards, the industry can enhance the reliability and adoption of MBCs, contributing to innovations in materials science and promoting environmental sustainability. This review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced characterization tools, and regulatory frameworks to address challenges and advance the field of MBCs.
Article
A Review of Mycelium Bio-Composites as Energy-Efficient Sustainable Building Materialsmdpi.com
The increasing demand for sustainable building solutions has directed attention toward bio-based materials, among which mycelium bio-composites (MBCs) have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional insulation materials. Grown from fungal mycelium and lignocellulosic waste, MBCs offer low embodied energy, biodegradability, and effective hygrothermal performance. This review assesses the current state of the art in MBC fabrication and hygrothermal properties, encompassing both laboratory-scale and industrial methods. MBCs demonstrate thermal conductivity values in the range of 0.036–0.06 W·m−1·K−1, moisture buffering capacity comparable to plant-fiber composites, and up to 70% lower embodied carbon than conventional materials. Key challenges are identified, including process standardization, scalability, and durability under real-world conditions. These composites also offer moisture buffering, compostability, and design flexibility. Moreover, recent advancements in additive manufacturing and microstructural optimization suggest a path toward broader adoption of MBCs in construction. By highlighting critical technical and scientific developments, this review identifies targeted research priorities, including the development of standardized fabrication protocols, quantitative lifecycle assessment of MBCs across varying climates, and strategies to scale up production while maintaining mechanical and hygrothermal consistency.
Article
Living Mycelium in Sustainable Construction Materials: A Fungal Revolutionarchup.net
As environmental challenges grow, the construction industry is moving toward more eco-friendly materials. Among the most exciting innovations is mycelium — the root-like network of fungi — which is changing how sustainable buildings are designed using mycelium in construction materials. But what exactly is mycelium? How is it used in construction? And can it really replace materials like concrete or steel with mycelium in construction?
Article
Mycelium-based composites: An updated comprehensive overviewsciencedirect.com
Mycelium-based composites hold significant potential as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, offering innovative solutions to the escalating challenges of global warming and climate change. This review examines their production techniques, advantages, and limitations, emphasizing their role in addressing pressing environmental and economic concerns. Current applications span various industries, including manufacturing and biomedical fields, where mycelium-based composites demonstrate the capacity to mitigate environmental impact and enhance economic sustainability. Key findings highlight their environmental benefits, economic viability, and versatile applications, showcasing their potential to revolutionize multiple sectors. However, challenges such as consumer acceptance, intrinsic variability, and the need for standardized guidelines persist, underscoring the importance of further research and innovation. By optimizing material properties and refining production processes, mycelium-based composites could pave the way for widespread adoption as sustainable materials, contributing to a greener and more environmentally conscious future.
