Knit-Mycelium Hybrids: Textile Design Strategies for Biofabrication Systems Based on Mycocrete Injection in 3D Knitted Tubular Formworks

Abstract

This paper investigates the design potential of monolithically grown Mycelium-based Composites (MBCs), focusing on integrating 3D knitted formworks within the fabrication process. Mycelium has gained attention as a sustainable, biodegradable construction material with insulating and self-healing capabilities. While there have been advancements in MBC, challenges remain regarding geometrical complexity and design potential at scale through in situ practices. Recent interest has emerged in digital fabrication methods and mould creation using textile logic and CNC knitting. However, fabricating mycelium within tubular soft moulds present a lack of stability and uneven growth distribution. The novel technique using injection filling of Mycocrete, a viscous mycelium paste, overcomes this structural disintegration. This method enables the creation of complex designs within a two-staged fabrication process while providing high structural performance. The paper presents three case studies demonstrating the impact of hanging, draping, and internal shape integration as fabrication steps as design tools for geometrical possibilities and diversity of expressions. It examines the relationship between knitted soft preform design and biofabrication parameters in relation to design expression, scale and mycelium growth. The paper concludes by emphasising the significance of 3D knitted formworks in scaling up MBCs in the built environment and its potential for implementing textile design parameters in MBC expressions and geometries. The fabrication steps provide newfound design opportunities, opening possibilities for aesthetical, material-saving and functionally graded design approaches. Further research in this area holds promise for advancing sustainable construction and textile design practices.