In Pursuit of a Grown Environment: Material-Driven Design Exploration of Mycelium-Based Composites for Consumer Product Applications

Abstract

Many human-created systems of production, consumption, construction, and infrastructure–known as the built environment–have had detrimental effects on the natural world and human health alike Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2022; Siddiqua et al., 2022). Consequently, such systems must be rethought with a focus on restoring and protecting the health of the planet and its inhabitants. This thesis seeks to demonstrate the viability of using highly sustainable mycelium-based composites (MBCs) to replace unsustainable materials across multiple consumer product applications by responding to the question, "How can design help realize a grown environment?" A "grown environment," in the scope of this work, is a philosophy that pursues symbiotic relationships between humans and the planet by prioritizing waste elimination and ecological preservation. Despite the recent acceleration of MBC research and growing consumer desire for environmental sustainability, user perceptions of MBCs remain hesitant due to their generally distinctive and organic appearance (Bonenberg et al., 2023). Additionally, while significant work has been done to research the relationships between fabrication variables and material performance of MBCs, MBC research is deficient regarding applied contexts of these fabricated materials. Most research currently available is experimental with a focus on defining relationships between material properties isolated in an abstract setting. Some contextual efforts do exist, but generally remain low-to-medium fidelity and lack quantitative justification or support. Responding to this gap, this thesis utilized a material-driven design (MDD) process to produce maturely designed mycelium-based consumer products (CPs). Investigation was completed in three main stages: 1) abstract MBC production experimentation, 2) semi-applied MBC design and production, and 3) applied MBC design and production. This strategy created a dialogical, iterative relationship between the design and material, allowing it to manifest appropriately into its final applications. The outcome of the thesis is a body of work comprised of material samples and product prototypes that demonstrate the ability of MBCs to effectively respond to the complex material demands of consumer products while respecting the value, strengths, and agency of the material. The broader contribution of this work is in the novelty and relevance of its scope. By combining evidence-based material knowledge with applied design studies, this thesis bridges components of desirability, viability, and sustainability that are critical in demonstrating the potential of MBCs for consumer product applications.