Mycelium Project

Maartje Dros and Eric Klarenbeek form Studio Klarenbeek & Dros. They combine social design with technology, aiming to challenge and explore the use of space. They use new technologies to face history and accelerate development of contemporary use of natural materials.

Mycelium Project explores 3D printed structures of living mycelial cells, for which they’ve developed the first Mycelium-based bioprinters. By combining microorganisms with robotics, Klarenbeek & Dros offer new materials as an alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics and bioplastics in the still relatively young market of 3D printing. The printed structures, grown further in the lab, consist of vegetative waste fibers and mycelium, which bind it together as a ‘living glue’, creating strength and sturdiness to rival that of cork or wood. The chair has a negative carbon footprint and is fully compostable.