Project R-15325

Co-creative and material-driven exploration of the sensorial and experiential aspects of mycomaterials in the context of (interior) architecture. (Research)

The climate crisis has necessitated urgent exploration of sustainable materials, especially in the building sector with its very high environmental impact of conventional building materials. Mycomaterials, derived from fungal biomass, show promise across various applications. However, to effectively use fungal biomass as a bio-based material in the context of buildings and interiors, a wide range of knowledge gaps has to be addressed. Most research in the nexus of architecture and mycomaterials so far has focused on technical aspects, such as thermal conductivity, sound absorption and fire resistance. The human interaction with these materials is underinvestigated. This research collaboration between architecture and microbiology will focus on the aspects of material perception and acceptance by designers and users. This one-year, explorative project is initiated to explore the potential of a "material-driven design thinking approach" as a novel research methodology to create a materials vision on sustainable mycomaterials, for a small number of mycomaterials and from the perspective of sensorial and experiential material perception and acceptance. The goal is to build experience with and finetune the methodology, as a step towards a larger research project, in which both the set of material qualities, opportunities and constraints that will be investigated, will be expanded (including technical, environmental and economic aspects) as well as the number of mycomaterials.

01 January 2025 - 31 December 2026