At 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, visitors encountered the 'Marcella chandelier' and 'Eryngi lamps' — pieces crafted not from glass or metal, but from a composite grown from fungi. Aifunghi, founded in 2024 by Bart and Marije Schilder, deliberately positioned these items as 'seductive' furniture, challenging conventional luxury material perceptions. The immediate showcase of sculptural, high-end mycelium designs marks a calculated entry into an elite market.
Mycelium has been primarily known for its sustainable and functional applications. It is now being intentionally crafted into high-end, sculptural art and furniture, altering its established role.
Based on these pioneering artistic collaborations, mycelium appears poised to redefine luxury aesthetics, challenging established material hierarchies in the design world.
What Are Mycelium-Based Composites?
- Mycelium-Based Composites (MBCs) are formed by combining fungal mycelium with lignocellulosic by-products or an organic substrate, according to pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
This biological fusion creates a material with inherent versatility, allowing for diverse applications in design. The structural integrity derives from the fungal network's ability to bind organic matter, forming a cohesive and customizable medium.
From Fungus to Fine Art: Crafting Mycelium Designs
Aifunghi collaborated with ceramicist Elisa Uberti and visual artist Vito Boox for their collection, showcased at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. Elisa Uberti created a series of lamps called Eryngi using MBC, imitating distinct organic forms, according to WWD. Vito Boox also contributed, creating sculptural lighting and mirror collections, including the Marcella chandelier and Tremella mirror collection, using MBC.
Artistic partnerships highlight mycelium's capacity for intricate, high-value aesthetic applications. The material moves beyond mere functional or sustainable properties, entering a realm traditionally reserved for glass, metal, or stone.
