MyCeiling is a project aiming to develop a modular lightweight construction system for ceiling structures made from compacted mycelium shells. This marks the first time that load-bearing components based on mycelium have been developed using the structural design and compaction techniques devised within the project.

Background

Although timber construction is already making a significant contribution to the transition in the construction sector, it is not sufficient on its own to meet the required volumes as the only renewable raw material. Alternative and complementary bio-based building materials and processes are therefore necessary. Mycelium, the root system of fungi, has mainly been used for non-load-bearing applications, such as acoustic elements and partition walls, due to its low structural load-bearing capacity. However, new research is showing promising results regarding the structural reinforcement of the material through wooden grids and compaction. Hot pressing and fiber injection molding can be used for this purpose. These new materials require industrially scalable processes that can produce components cost-effectively in large quantities with low material consumption. This would make a significant contribution to system construction.

Material

The project partners' expertise in reinforcing materials with additively manufactured wood lattices and compaction processes will be utilized. The mycelium composite can be processed using various manufacturing methods and densities to impart distinct properties. This allows us to adjust the mycelium to meet the specific mechanical requirements of the intended application.

Contribution by Design of Structures

Within the MyCeiling project, Design of Structures contributes in a significant way by conducting and evaluating material tests. This involves primarily carrying out compression and bending tests corresponding to the requirements of a compression shell. The results provide insights into the mechanical properties of the various material configurations resulting from the different manufacturing processes and densities.

Furthermore, Design of Structures is developing a specially designed geometry that transfers both the live load and the dead load primarily via compression within the mycelium shell.

Professorship of Sustainable Construction, KIT

Prof. Dirk E. Hebel, Dr. Alireza Javadian, Dr. Nazanin Saeidi, M.Sc. Xin Ying Chan

Professorship of Design of Structures (dos), KIT

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Riccardo La Magna, M.Sc. Sebastian Both

Experimental and Digital Design and Construction (EDEK), University of Kassel

Univ.-Prof. Dipl.Arch. M.Sc. ETH Philipp Eversmann, Dr. Eng. Arch Judyta Maria Cichocka

Fiber Engineering GmbH

Dipl.Ing. Egon Förster

This project is funded by: