Yong Ju Lee, a visionary architect, has crafted a groundbreaking bio-integrated pavilion in Seoul, showcasing the potential of mycelium as a sustainable building material. The Mycelial Hut, an experimental structure, is a testament to the innovative fusion of robotics and biology in architecture.
This remarkable creation is a result of a collaboration between Yong Ju Lee Architecture and the Robotic Fabrication Studio (RFS) at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. The pavilion's design challenges traditional construction methods by embracing mycelium, a network of fungal threads that binds and regenerates organic matter.
The Mycelial Hut's structural brilliance lies in its wooden frame, providing stability, and mycelium panels that form its outer layer. Each panel is a masterpiece of precision, grown within a customized 3D-printed mold, meticulously shaped by industrial robotic arms and filled with a carefully selected substrate. This process involved extensive research, testing various mycelium mixtures to ensure optimal growth, density, and structural integrity.
What sets this project apart is its focus on sustainability. In an era where construction contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, Mycelial Hut offers a paradigm shift. By utilizing biodegradable, recyclable, and regenerative materials, the pavilion challenges the dominance of concrete and steel, symbolizing progress and economy but at a high environmental cost.
The Mycelial Hut is more than just a structure; it's a living, breathing entity that grows, evolves, and decomposes in harmony with nature. This bio-integrated approach transforms the concept of eco-friendly design, inviting us to envision a future where buildings are not manufactured but cultivated, alive, and deeply intertwined with the ecosystems they inhabit.
