ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the potential of locally sourced fungal strains and agricultural by-products as resources for the growth of a structural building material. MycoPly is a laminated, mycelium-bound composite (MBC) utilizing the local strain Ganoderma subsessile in combination with corn grain, corn cob, hemp hurd and natural fiber reinforcement. Significant benefits in MBC production were identified in the shift towards thinner panels due to a more favorable ratio of surface to thickness and an increased oxygen supply leading to more homogeneous mycelium growth. MycoPly utilizes this understanding by laminating thin MBC sheets to form composite building elements through bio-welding of the ‘skins’ of each layer. To test MycoPly in real world conditions, the material was utilized in the design and construction of the prototypology MycoShell as part of the 2024 Build Fest at Bethel Woods, NY. The installation utilizes MycoPly panels to form a compression-optimized vault composed of individual catenary arches.
