Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Interior Design

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Interior Design

Advisor/Mentor

Sharpless, Charles

Committee Member

Webb, Jennifer

Second Committee Member

Carpenter, Angela

Abstract

This capstone explores new applications for mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, in the architecture and interior design industry. Due to its naturally renewable and 100% compostable nature, mycelium proves itself to be a highly sustainable material. Through a combination of research, analysis, and hands-on experimentation, both the challenges and possibilities of mycelium are documented and defined in the context of solutions for fast-furniture waste, a phenomenon that includes mass-produced, low-cost items designed for short-term use. Following a foundation of literature reviews and case studies, this paper documents small-scale prototyping of mycelium-based models for the Ground-Up Chair, a simple yet uniquely crafted design for a seat that users can grow in their very own living room and fertilize their garden with it as the end of its life as a chair.

Keywords

Sustainability; Mycelium; Innovation; Bio-material; Design; Experimentation

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