Myco-Clay: 3d Printing Mycelium and Clay Biocomposites

The following research, titled MYCO-CLAY, explores the potential for fusing natural materials and living organisms to create bespoke objects using computational design and 3D printing technologies. The project focuses on two primary materials, clay, a natural earthen material, and mycelium, a living organism consisting of a network of hyphae filaments that form the vegetative tissue of fungi. Additionally, recycled domestic and industrial waste materials are used as the primary substrate for the mycelium to grow and thrive. The project uses natural, regenerative, and upcycled materials to support sustainable and ecological design practices in an age of climate crisis. Computational design processes and 3D printing techniques are utilized to fabricate a series of objects that serve as prototypes for a biofabrication workflow that allows for bespoke and complex geometries that minimize manufacturing waste materials. The project seeks to find alternative methods for strengthening clay without relying on traditional firing techniques..