Fungal Mycelia is seen in the field of design as a potential future material in various applications. This is due to its attractive properties: mycelium is easy to grow and can feed itself with any waste material, it is also fire resistant, detoxifying, grows into any shape and is incredible strong. During the Bio Materiality course students harvested, cultivated, grew and designed with fungi. Furthermore, the students asked critical questions such as what are my responsibilities when working with a living organism? What if the food was packed in a biodegradable container enhancing its original flavour? Could the package be an edible condiment itself? 

Teacher: Anna van der Lei
Visiting teacher: Pyry Veteli
Guidance at Aalto Biofilia lab: James Evans

Design students from Aalto University took the challenge to imagine a more sustainable future by developing their own biomaterials. Altogether 22 students used renewable raw materials like wood-based cellulose, food waste, feathers and plants. Those materials were collected, foraged and scavenged to inspire novel product ideas for a more hopeful future.

The outcomes were exhibited at Helsinki Airport, Terminal 2, Baggage Claim Hall 2Bfor the duration of one year.

Teachers: Anna van der Lei, Pirjo Kääriänen
Guidance at Aalto CHEMARTS lab and Aalto workshops: Andreas Lindberg, Anastasia Ivanova, Tomi Pelkonen, Nina Riutta

Exhibition design: Collin Velkoff