ABSTRACT
In recent decades, designers and researchers have been exploring the remarkable potential of mycelium, one of nature’s most sophisticated living technologies, as a means to develop low-carbon alternatives for design and architecture. This study advances material experimentation by incorporating natural soil into conventional lab-grown mycelium-based composites—typically made with fibers and additives—to mimic mycelium’s natural environment in earthen soils. By prioritizing material experimentation over fabrication, we assess the maximum colonization potential of Pleurotus eryngii in samples that test the thresholds of mycelium growth within “dirty” earthen environments, hereby termed ‘Dirty Mycelium,’ when combined with earthen soils. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), we analyze the microscopic growth and bonding properties of mycelium in these soil-based mixtures, verifying visual inspection as a reliable method to observe mycelium dynamics. The results show that mixes with equal proportions of soil and mycelium spawn with 63wt% water exhibited optimal growth. This research paves the way for a more accessible mycelium future in low-carbon product design and building materials.
