Mycelium, a vegetative element of fungus, was utilized by PLP Labs to develop building blocks. Besides being environmentally friendly, this construction material is also resistant to fire.
(Photo : Pexels/ Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz )
PLP Labs Unveils Eco-friendly Building Blocks
PLP Labs, which is a division of the PLP Architecture business based in London, is working on the development of an innovative project. Their team is committed to developing modular construction blocks that are fabricated from mycelium, which is a component of fungi, wood that has been 3D printed. These blocks are highly adaptable, kind to the environment, and have the potential to revolutionize the construction sector by offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional building materials.
Even though mycelium is currently experiencing an upsurge, with applications ranging from 'myceliotronics' to other construction projects, the fungi filaments may reportedly be able to assist them in escaping the climate change hole they've excavated. Moreover, by expanding the material's functionality, the PLP team aimed to make it suitable for a broader range of applications, from relatively small ones like insulation and acoustic boards to more significant ones like load-bearing blocks.
Mycelium is described as growing underground and eating up and absorbing all the nutrients from its surroundings and creating this fibrous, aggregated substance, which eventually sprouts, fruits out mushrooms, according to associate partner Abhinav Chaudhary, who was speaking about the creation of the brick-making invention in a video.
Additionally, senior associate partner Jenya Andersson stated that they decided to experiment with it and construct something. This is because it possesses remarkable characteristics, such as being highly environmentally friendly, entirely renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable. Nevertheless, after producing the product, the researchers discovered it possesses remarkable acoustic and insulating capabilities.
Furthermore, compared to concrete and steel, which are not recyclable or biodegradable, PLP highlights the benefits that block and other materials, which come in various shapes, do not possess. PLP has demonstrated that mycelium may be produced and collected with minimal environmental impact. Accordingly, researching the magnitude of the physical gaps that mycelium can span and working towards commercializing do-it-yourself fabrication kits that can be molded to meet clients' specific requirements are two of the related endeavors that the company is working on.
Also Read: Eco-Friendly Solutions for Modern Building: 7 Benefits of Recycled Plastic
Mycelium-Based Construction Materials
With its biodegradable nature, low energy consumption, and low carbon emissions, mycelium, the root structure of fungi, is becoming an increasingly desirable alternative for construction materials such as bricks and cladding. Mycelium is cultivated from agricultural residue and mycelial cultures, and it is subsequently transformed into various forms, including bricks, panels, and blocks.
As mentioned, a mixture of mycelium and organic matter, which serves as a nutrient-rich substrate, produces these solid solids. In the process of spreading, the mycelium breaks down the organic components, resulting in the formation of a structure that is dense and interconnected. Through this method, the mixture is efficiently consolidated into a solid mass. It is then shaped into the appropriate shapes, and the material continues developing, further strengthening its strength. Mycelium-based materials, including sustainable packaging, furniture, art pieces, and textiles, can produce eco-friendly products. In addition to being affordable, they provide excellent insulation against fire, sound, and heat.
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