Regenerative Architecture Lab

MycoShell is an installation originally situated in Bethel Woods, NY for the 2024 Build Fest. It exhibits the potential of biological self-growing and adaptive building materials toward a collaborative future of the digital and the analog. Designed to reflect the advancing research of the MycoBuilt project, a cross-disciplinary collaboration of faculty and students in mycology, engineering, and architecture at Cornell University, MycoShell is constructed of structural mycelium-bound composite panels that have been grown from a local fungal strain of the Ganoderma family on regional agricultural by-products of corn and hemp. Additionally reinforced with natural fibers, the result is a bio-based, carbon-negative, and fully circular building component with structural capacities. 

The exhibition in the Bibliowicz Gallery illustrates three aspects of the project: material sourcing and raw material selection (room 1), the prototype construction at Bethel Woods (room 2) and the growth conditions and production processes (room 3).

The MycoBuilt project was generously supported by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. MycoShell was supported by the Cornell Einhorn Center for Community Engagement. The exhibition was supported by the Cornell AAP Engagement Impact Grant.