bioMATTERS crafts tiling system by 3D printing mycelium, algae, and organic waste

myco-alga: 3D-Printed Mycelium and Algae Interior Tiles

bioMATTERS introduces MYCO-ALGA, a sustainable interior tiling system crafted from 3D-printed mycelium and algae. These tiles are composed of living organisms and upcycled natural and organic waste, ensuring a 100% biodegradable end product. Employing computational algorithms, the panels are digitally designed and then 3D printed, grown, and enriched with bio-pigments to infuse natural hues. Beyond aesthetic considerations, bioMATTERS’ process to develop living material and fabrication workflows seeks to evolve bio-aesthetics and ecological practices and promote a cultural shift to biomaterials in an age of climate crisis.

bioMATTERS upcycles waste for ecological design solutions

The MYCO-ALGA tiles undergo a multifaceted fabrication process, beginning with the upcycling of domestic and industrial waste materials. These materials are ground into a paste-like substrate, providing the foundation for the growth of mycelium — an entangled network of fungal filaments. Inoculated with mycelium, the paste is 3D printed into customized shapes, which are then cultivated in a climate-controlled environment for approximately two weeks. During this period, the mycelium grows and acts as a natural adhesive, weaving through the material and binding it together like a natural glue, eventually enveloping the entire panel’s surface.

To halt further growth, bioMATTERS placed the pieces in convection ovens, where drying and dehydration result in a rigid, durable, yet lightweight material. The final stage involves involves the application of bio-pigments extracted from harvested algae biomass. Transformed into gels, these pigments are 3D printed onto each tile to add color as an aesthetic enhancement. The completed MYCO-ALGA tiles transform interior spaces with their off-white mycelium and light green algae hues, presenting a soft, velvet-like texture and a distinct tactile quality. Each tile features distinct non-repetitive shapes based on computationally generated branching morphologies mirroring mycelial growth. Assembled across a surface, the tiles create a visually engaging mosaic of continuous pattern variations.

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project info:

name: MYCO-ALGA
designer: bioMATTERS

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