Futures

Exploring Living Fungus as a Sustainable Material for Future Architecture, (from page 20221016.)

External link

Keywords

Themes

Other

Summary

A new paper proposes the use of living fungus as a raw material for revolutionary, eco-friendly building structures. The researchers envision entire cities made from living fungus, which could grow, repair, and self-sustain, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and traditional mining. They argue that fungal materials can offer various mechanical properties suitable for construction. Unlike previous projects that involved killing the fungus for sturdiness, this approach focuses on keeping the fungus alive, enabling it to rejuvenate and adapt. The research also explores the potential for fungal architectures to replace traditional plumbing and electrical systems, promoting a circular economy in construction.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Living Fungus Architecture Concept of using living fungus for building materials. Transitioning from traditional materials like wood and concrete to living fungal structures. Cities could be built entirely from self-growing, self-repairing fungal materials. The need for sustainable building practices in response to climate change. 4
Self-repairing Structures Buildings that can repair themselves through living materials. From static structures to dynamic, self-maintaining ecosystems. Buildings may continuously adapt and repair themselves, reducing maintenance costs. Advancements in biotechnology and materials science. 5
Biodegradable Building Materials The use of biodegradable materials in construction. Shift from non-biodegradable materials to completely biodegradable options. Construction waste could be significantly reduced with circular economy practices. Growing environmental awareness and regulations on waste management. 4
Fungal Electronics Development of neuromorphic circuits using fungal materials. Moving from conventional electronics to organic, living circuits. Electronics may become self-growing and self-repairing, revolutionizing tech. The pursuit of sustainability and efficiency in electronics manufacturing. 3
Circular Economy in Construction Adopting circular economy principles in building practices. From linear production processes to sustainable, closed-loop systems. Construction industry could minimize resource use and waste, enhancing sustainability. The urgency of addressing climate change and resource scarcity. 4

Concerns

name description relevancy
Dependence on Living Organisms for Infrastructure Relying on living fungus for building materials poses risks related to growth stability and environmental conditions affecting structural integrity. 4
Biodegradation and Longevity Issues Even with coatings, the challenge of ensuring fungal materials do not degrade prematurely raises concerns for long-term use in construction. 5
Ecological Disruption Cultivating large quantities of fungus for construction could disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity if not managed carefully. 3
Public Acceptance and Safety The acceptance of living buildings might face skepticism or concern regarding safety, hygiene, and longevity compared to traditional materials. 4
Technological Feasibility and Scalability Challenges in scalable production and technological implementation of living fungus systems could hinder widespread adoption. 4
Material Performance Variability The variability in performance of living materials based on biological factors could lead to inconsistent building quality. 5

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Living Architecture Buildings constructed from living fungus that grow, self-repair, and adapt over time. 5
Biodegradable Construction Utilizing biodegradable materials to create a circular economy in the construction industry. 5
Self-Repairing Structures Incorporating self-repairing capabilities in buildings using living materials, reducing maintenance needs. 4
Local Resource Utilization Using locally sourced biological materials for construction to minimize logistics and energy consumption. 4
Fungal Electronics Developing living circuits and electronics that can self-grow and self-assemble, diverging from conventional wiring. 3
Sustainable Building Practices Emphasizing eco-friendly construction approaches to combat climate change and reduce fossil fuel dependence. 5
Dynamic Living Materials Investigating materials that can change properties and functions based on environmental conditions and needs. 4
Innovative Coating Techniques Developing new coatings to protect living materials while allowing for growth and adaptation. 3

Technologies

name description relevancy
Living Fungus Materials Using live fungal mycelium as a raw material for eco-friendly buildings that self-grow and repair. 5
Fungal Architecture Development of monolithic structures made entirely from living fungus, revolutionizing the built environment. 5
Biodegradable Building Materials Construction materials that are biodegradable, promoting a circular economy while remaining durable for use. 4
Self-Growing Circuits Fungal versions of neuromorphic circuits that are self-growing, self-assembling, and self-repairing. 4
Living Building Systems Integrating living materials for plumbing and electrical systems that can adapt and grow with the structure. 4

Issues

name description relevancy
Living Fungus as Building Material Exploration of living fungus for sustainable, self-growing monolithic structures to revolutionize construction. 5
Circular Economy in Construction Utilization of biodegradable materials in building to promote a circular economy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 4
Self-repairing Architecture Development of buildings that can self-repair through living materials, reducing maintenance costs and resource use. 4
Fungal Electronics Research into creating self-growing and self-repairing electronic circuits using fungal materials. 3
Sustainable Urban Development The potential for entire cities to be constructed from living materials, transforming urban environments. 4
Adaptation to Climate Change Using biological materials in construction as a response to the challenges posed by climate change. 5