Vapour, Air and Water Proprieties of Mycelium as Emergent Sustainable Material in Construction

Abstract

The construction industry plays a significant role in achieving climate stability and regenerative methods in this field can highly contribute to the resilience and long-lasting sustainability of cities as well as citizens' wellbeing. Building methods using regenerative techniques and carbon-negative materials will be essential to the development of climate-sustainable cities. Developing carbon negative materials can highly impact and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the construction industry, mitigating climate change to a level that will be compatible with the 1.5-degree warming target by removing more carbon from the atmosphere during their production and use phase than they emit. Mycelium is a sustainable, biodegradable material made from the root-like structures of fungi. It is grown by cultivating mycelium on organic substrates like sawdust and wood chips. The material is lightweight, strong, and fire-resistant, making it suitable for insulation, panels, bricks and even furniture. Mycelium's eco-friendly production process and ability to decompose naturally make it an innovative alternative to traditional materials. Given the importance of moisture management in material longevity and maintenance, this research gives great focus to moisture in Mycelium-based samples through absorption and desorption tests. The tests were conducted at the University of Iceland and at HERCULES research center, University of Évora in Portugal. The study's findings show Mycelium's performance under varying moisture conditions, contributing valuable insights into its application as a sustainable construction material. This research supports the broader goal of integrating regenerative practices into urban development for a sustainable and resilient future.