A mycologist has discovered that when thin, rootlike fibers called mycellium that form underground from mushrooms are harvested and dried, the resulting substance can be used as a moldable building material that is lightweight yet stronger than concrete, according to an article on Inhabitat.
At San Francisco’s AIA Architecture in the City Festival throughout the month of September 2012, Phillip Ross has constructed a laboratory to grow mushrooms so the mycellium can be dried and made into a series of chairs and stools. The resulting furniture is water, mold and fire-resistant.
“I want to demonstrate how you can create this kind of fabrication using local agricultural waste,” said Ross in the Inhabitat piece.
Although Ross last year applied for a patent to use mycelium as an organic building material, he also uses it as a medium for art and has shown his pieces at several museums worldwide.
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