Mycelium composite is definately one of the materials of the future and the design world is captivated by it its amazing features. Made from fungi, this innovative material is not only eco-friendly but also versatile in its applications, from furniture to building structures. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key guidelines for designing with mycelium composite, revealing the secrets behind creating attractive and functional pieces that are both environmentally responsible and visually appealing. Whether you’re a budding designer or simply curious about sustainability and innovation, join us as we delve into the world of Mycelium Composite Design Guidelines.

Mycelium composite – Leading Sustainable Design

Derived from just two ingredients – the root structure of mushrooms and agricultural waste, mycelium composite offers remarkable benefits. It is backyard compostable, ocean-safe, naturally grown, protective, flame and water-resistant, and provides excellent heat insulation. These advantages make mycelium composite an attractive choice for designers and business. Moreover, mycelium is a rapidly renewable resource that can be grown in a matter of weeks.

Design Guideline for Mycelium Composite

When designing with mycelium composites, certain engineering considerations are essential to maximize this exceptional biomaterial’s potential:

1. Positive Draft Angle for Easy Demoulding: To simplify production and minimize losses, incorporate a positive draft angle, typically around 3 degrees. Avoiding complex undercuts in the design is crucial.

2. Effective Wall Width: Maintain a minimum recommended effective wall width of 15 mm for shapes within ±20/20/5 cm dimensions. Adjust this width for larger shapes to improve stability and reduce warping during drying.

3. Avoid Deep Cavities: To ensure successful tooling production, avoid deep cavities. Excessively deep cavities can compromise vacuum-formed tooling, resulting in brittle tools.

4. Fillet Edges: Ensure that all edges have a minimum fillet of 3 degrees, with a recommended fillet of 5 degrees. This prevents mycelium from sticking to corners, making demoulding easy.

Mycelium composite design for your products and packaging is a great choice ahead creating an environmentally safe and economically viable products that speak directly to the eco-conscious market demand.

If you are interested to learn more about our sustainable design awards read the article about “Biomyc wins GOLD at MUSE Design Awards”.

As an award-winning design and innovation company we specialise in two things – sustainable product and packaging design with mycelium composite, along with Mycelium Composite Enhancement through R&D services. Collaborating with Biomyc provides access to expertise in harnessing mycelium composites’ full potential.

Key Takeaways from Designing with Mycelium Composite

Mycelium composite offers a versatile and sustainable design option with various benefits:

• Simplicity is Essential: While mycelium composites are versatile, simplicity in design is crucial.
• Embrace Local Materials: Mycelium composites are made from locally sourced materials, enhancing their sustainability.
• Eco-Friendly Approach: These composites are derived from natural materials and are biodegradable, aligning with environmental concerns.
• Purpose-Driven Design: Consider the intended use of mycelium composite products during the design process.
• Unleash Creativity: Explore the creative possibilities mycelium composites offer.

Conclusion

Mycelium composite design principles showed here offer a comprehensive framework to unlock the potential of this innovative material. By considering factors such as substrate selection, growth conditions, and post-processing techniques, designers can create sustainable and versatile products that challenge the limitations of traditional materials. Embrace experimentation and collaboration in your journey with mycelium composite – think outside the box! As we continue to explore the possibilities of this remarkable biomaterial, let’s work towards a future where sustainability and creativity seamlessly coexist. Armed with these main rules for mycelium composite design, you can leave your mark on an industry ripe for transformation. 

If you are interested what’s possible with mycelium composite design and curious how it can be implemented for your brand, book a call with our experts.