Growing Materials for a Regenerative Future
I am a designer and researcher investigating the architectural potential of living materials. My current work, the Mycelium Modular Panel, is a biodegradable and acoustically optimized system grown from agricultural waste and fungal mycelium. Positioned at the intersection of design, material science, and ecological systems, this project proposes a regenerative approach to sustainable construction.
Automated Fabrication
To achieve precision and scalability, I employ automation in the panel formation process. Robotic dispensing and modular casting techniques streamline the production workflow, reduce material waste, and enhance geometric consistency. These methods also allow for flexibility in design variation while maintaining reproducibility.
Incubation and Environmental Monitoring
To cultivate the panels, I developed a custom incubator that enables real-time monitoring of biological growth conditions. Using a Raspberry Pi–based system paired with an Adafruit SCD-40 sensor, I track temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. This setup ensures consistency across batches and supports data-driven insights into the environmental variables that affect material performance.
Acoustical Testing and Evaluation
The panels undergo preliminary acoustical testing to evaluate their performance against conventional materials. Using controlled sound transmission setups, I measure absorption and resonance properties, with early results indicating strong potential for application in interior acoustic treatments and spatial installations.
For a detailed overview of the fabrication process, see Transformative Automation: Augmenting Robotics Tool for Transformative 3D Modeling.