Mycelium Acoustics

The project investigates the acoustics of mycelium composites. How can we design acoustic material and spatial properties with grown, assembled, highly inhomogeneous material structures? Focus is placed on creating a wide variety of composites to understand the bespoke acoustic behaviour of the single material and the comparative performances between composites. 

Composite samples are evaluated from aesthetical and technical aspects to understand the complexity of visual and acoustic expressions constructed. For sound analysis of each test sample, low- and high- frequency measurements are done to examine the span from 50-8000Hz using the Impedance Tube method. 

Each mycelium composite is investigated through several samples, as unique surface characteristics, densities, fineness, colour and roughness present bespoke articulations.

The findings from the testing show the variety of sound absorption properties by the change of substrate and the potential to design unique sound energy material processes different to uniform and isotropic material’s behaviour. The studies reveal, therefore, both the properties of the sample set produced for the study and the potential of combinatorial composites to create particular acoustic materials through the growth of the specific mycelium composite.

This knowledge and design instrumentality can then be used to conceptualise and develop specific acoustic conditions, while aligning with industry modular formats and bespoke geometric formwork.

Collaborators

Naturpladen
Nikolova / Aarsø
Henning Larsen Architects

External funding 

Dreyers Fonden

Publications

Foged, IW, 2023, Acoustic Tectonics, Journal of Technology | Architecture + Design, Special issue Circularity, Taylor & Francis, Routledge.