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Mycelium-Based Composites for Interior Architecture: Digital Fabrication of Acoustic Ceiling Components

Summary

Researchers developed acoustic ceiling tiles made from mycelium, the root-like part of mushrooms, grown in 3D-printed molds. These sustainable tiles reduce noise in interior spaces while using agricultural waste and requiring minimal energy to produce. The study shows that mycelium-based materials can effectively absorb sound similar to conventional acoustic panels while being completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Background

The construction sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions and environmental degradation through energy-intensive material production. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) represent sustainable, biodegradable alternatives that utilize fungal growth on organic waste, offering properties such as sound absorption and thermal insulation while minimizing environmental impact.

Objective

This study investigates the effective utilization of mycelium-based biomaterials in interior architecture through a material-specific design approach. The research aims to design, fabricate, and evaluate modular acoustic ceiling components using parametric digital design and 3D-printed molds, assessing both geometric fidelity and acoustic performance.

Results

Mycelium-based prototypes achieved 75-79% dimensional matching rates to digital models, with post-drying shrinkage concentrated along the vertical axis. Acoustic simulations demonstrated that mycelium components reduced reverberation time compared to untreated conditions, particularly in the 500-4000 Hz speech frequency range, approaching performance levels of conventional acoustic panels.

Conclusion

Mycelium-based composites show promising potential as functional acoustic elements in interior architecture when optimized for density and geometry. The integration of parametric digital fabrication with biological growth processes provides a controllable, repeatable production method, though further research is needed on mechanical strength, long-term durability, and real-scale acoustic measurements before commercial implementation.
  • Published in:Biomimetics (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41294402, DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics10110729
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