MycoTree is a spatial branching structure made out of load-bearing mycelium components. Its geometry was designed using 3D graphic statics, utilizing compression-only form to enable the weak material to perform structurally. Using only mycelium and bamboo, the structure represents a provocative vision of how one may move beyond the mining of our construction materials from the earth’s crust to their cultivation and urban growth; how achieving stability through geometry rather than through material strength opens up possibilities to use weaker materials structurally and safely; and ultimately, how regenerative resources in combination with informed structural design have the potential to propose an alternative to established building materials for a more sustainable construction industry.

Authors: Felix Heisel, Karsten Schlesier, Juney Lee, Matthias Rippmann, Nazanin Saeidi, Alireza Javadian, Adi Reza Nugroho, Dirk Hebel, Philippe Block

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2017)

• Date of Conference: 11-14 December 2017
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2017.0008
• ISBN: 978-1-908320-78-0
• Conference Location: University of Cambridge, UK