Description

As part of the work, it was investigated how furniture can be designed to be more sustainable and circular economy-oriented. The starting point of the investigation was short product life cycles, high amounts of furniture waste, and material composites that are difficult to separate in the furniture industry. The focus was on the research of a bio-based material called mushroom mycelium, the root-like network of fungi that connects organic materials in a natural way. The material properties as well as possibilities for further processing through pressing processes, structuring, and coloring were analyzed.

Based on these investigations, a modular shelving system made of solid wood and pressed mycelium panels was created. The panels improve room acoustics and at the same time shape the design effect of the furniture. In addition, a lighting system was created in which pressed mycelium is used as a light diffuser. Both objects follow a circular economy-oriented approach with a focus on material separation and reuse.