Today, growing your furniture is as possible as growing any vegetable. That’s right, and it is Tallinn-based materials company Myceen that has made this achievable through their recently released series of pendant lampshades. B Wise is a series of raggedy-looking lampshades that are made from mycelium. Here is a detailed report on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
At Myceen’s workshop, waste organic materials from the timber and agricultural industry including sawdust and straw are mixed with mycelium.
Released at the recently concluded Dutch Design Week 2022, B Wise lampshades are made from mushroom mycelium, the vegetative part of a mushroom or fungus that grows beneath the surface, and organic byproducts. At Myceen’s workshop, waste organic materials from the timber and agricultural industry including sawdust and straw are mixed with mycelium. This mixture is poured into a lampshade mould and is set to grow under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. At this stage, the fungus starts to feed on the waste. It further expands to fit into the mould. Upon reaching the desired shape, the mixture is unmoulded and dehydrated to avoid any further expansion. The studio informs that it is essential to stop the growth of mycelium so that the lamp is safe for use. Reportedly, the process takes nearly five weeks.
B Wise is a series of raggedy-looking lampshades that are made from mycelium.
According to the studio, B Wise lampshades do not contain any chemicals or other synthetic additive as mycelium acts as a natural binding component. This makes it 100 per cent compostable. The floating mushrooms are illustrated in a bell-shaped structure with a plywood and aluminium frame and come with a ceramic socket and conventional lighting cable.
B Wise lampshades do not contain any chemicals or other synthetic additive as mycelium acts as a natural binding component.
B Wise lampshades are 60cm in diameter and 19cm in height. The lamps are soft and lighter and weigh nearly 3kg. The leather-like surface of the lampshade appears in shades of dark brown to velvety white skin tone.
The leather-like surface of the lampshade appears in shades of dark brown to velvety white skin tone.
Image credits: Myceen