Mycelium-Based Composites for Interior Architecture: Digital Fabrication of Acoustic Ceiling Components

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Architecture
• Digital Fabrication

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable and innovative interior design solutions.
• Need for material-specific design approaches for bio-based materials like mycelium.
• Exploration of digital fabrication technologies for novel component production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the integration of digital fabrication with mycelium for interior components.
• To develop and test modular, customized suspended ceiling elements using mycelium.
• To evaluate the aesthetic and acoustic performance of mycelium-based components.

Main Methods:

• Parametric design approach for modular elements.
• Three-dimensional printing for mold fabrication.
• Material testing with plaster, silicone, and mycelium across scales.
• Acoustic performance evaluation using Sabine method simulations.

Main Results:

• Captured volumetric deviations due to mycelium's living nature.
• Mycelium prototypes showed decreased reverberation times, especially in speech frequencies.
• Acoustic performance approached that of standard acoustic panels.
• Identified potential for aesthetic and acoustic value in sustainable interiors.

Conclusions:

• Mycelium-based components can offer aesthetic and acoustic benefits in interior environments.
• Further optimization of density and geometry can enhance mycelium component performance.
• Digital fabrication enables the creation of customized, sustainable building elements.