Researchers in Singapore and Switzerland have partnered under the Future Cities Lab (FCL) Global program to advance the study of mycelium as an eco-friendly building material. The collaborative project merges the work conducted at Singapore-ETH Centre, a research center shared by multiple Singaporean universities, and ETH Zurich, a leading Swiss University.
The research in this joint project is working towards developing useable mycelium-based bricks for large-scale construction. So far, this mycelium has been used in various art exhibits and small building projects; however, this research aims to make the material viable for significant infrastructure developments.
"These alternative and sustainable materials tend to be much weaker than concrete or steel, so they require an intelligent geometry and structural shape,' explained Dr. Juney Lee, a senior researcher at EYH Zurich. Because of this, these researchers are focused on finding ways to make mycelium as strong as possible.
Mycelium-Based Bricks
Future Cities Lab Aims to Make Mushroom Bricks for Large-Scale Construction
Trend Themes
1. Mycelium-based Building Materials - Developing mycelium-based bricks for large-scale construction presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the construction industry.
2. Eco-friendly Construction Materials - Research on mycelium as an eco-friendly building material can spur disruptive innovation in the green building materials industry.
3. Intelligent Geometry for Sustainable Materials - Finding ways to create structural shapes that maximizes the strength of sustainable materials presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the architecture and engineering industry.
Industry Implications
1. Construction Industry - The use of mycelium-based bricks for large-scale construction offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the construction industry.
2. Green Building Materials Industry - Research on mycelium as an eco-friendly building material presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the green building materials industry.
3. Architecture and Engineering Industry - Incorporating intelligent geometry for sustainable materials can spur disruptive innovation in the architecture and engineering industry.