blending 3D Printing and natural growth dynamics of mycelium coated with concrete during construction phase for large lightweight structures
ABSTRACT
Using 3D printing technology combined with a mycelium mixture to print a double layer wall, and coat the outer parts of the wall with liquid concrete. The characteristics of mycelium growth and concrete inhibition of mycelium growth are utilized to obtain a controllable lightweight wall. During construction, the mycelium will grow inside the double layer wall, while being enveloped and protected by the outer concrete shell. Small units come together to create a large scale structure that is lightweight and strong.
STATE OF THE ART
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-75-1024x546.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-92-1024x560.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-77-1024x545.png)
OBSERVATIONS
- Mycelium structures, just by themselves have proven to be weak for architecture and get destroyed easily
- Mycelium composite material is lightweight and potential to multiply and create large scale structures
- mycelium growth needs space, so porous structure is better for its growth
FURTHER EXPLORATION:
- How to make mycelium composite material stronger
- How to utilize the natural growth of mycelium to strongly bond between the stacked units
- How to provide more space for mycelium growth, to get more hyphae to make the structure stronger during assembly
STRATEGY
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-93-1024x490.png)
MATERIAL
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-81-1024x546.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-82-1024x545.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-83-1024x545.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-84-1024x548.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-85-1024x545.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-86-1024x545.png)
FABRICATION
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-87-1024x489.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-88-1024x494.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-89-1024x526.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-90-1024x495.png)
DESIGN
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image-91-1024x550.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ViewCapture20240319_062300-1024x555.jpg)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ViewCapture20240319_075928-1-1024x555.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ViewCapture20240319_075848-1024x555.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ViewCapture20240319_080338-1024x555.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ViewCapture20240319_080726-1-1024x555.png)