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ARCH 509, Biomaterials for Designers, University of Michigan
Instructor, Glen Wilcox
Fall 2023
This course aimed to explore the use of bio-based and found materials in the design and construction of functional objects. My project focused on creating bio-based materials for children, who are continuous learners. Using plastic alphabet refrigerator magnets as a reference, I sought to recreate these objects with mycelium as the primary material. To add color, the mycelium was coated in plant-based dyed bioplastics. I tested various fonts and sizes, ultimately selecting Cooper Black with 2.5” letters. Molds were created by vacuum-sealing balsa wood cutouts. Initial mycelium growth was unsuccessful, likely due to contamination during molding, but the final cast showed growth, though the letters were fragile. I coated them in three bioplastics, using water-based dyes from butterfly pea flower, hibiscus, and chamomile. The final colors were less vibrant than initial tests, likely due to moisture retention in the mycelium. While the letters were prototypes, they demonstrate the potential of mycelium as a new material for children.