Mycelium

Mogu Floor

Mogu is founded on the belief that it is possible to employ Nature’s intelligence to radically disrupt the design of everyday products. Seeking a finer balance between the man-made and the rhythms of the natural ecosystem. Our intent is to bring Nature closer to people, meeting the needs of everyday life, both functionally and aesthetically. A vision of interior spaces that embraces Nature’s radical character, to establish a more honest relationship with the everyday surrounding environment. Such vision is embedded in the products designed by Mogu, crafted with the lowest environmental impact possible, to offer radically innovative experiences as well as advanced technical performances.

Today, our relationship with the ecosystem is entirely compromised, as irresponsible human activities cause great threats to life on Earth. Mogu is committed to run its production processes starting from low-value, residual materials which cannot find other valuable applications in the industry. While digesting the nutrient-rich terrains and thanks to Mogu’s design and engineering skills, the mycelium converts the low-value input matter into products with high added value, advanced technical features and unique aesthetics.

Our cutting-edge technology is based on mycelium, the vegetative stage of mushrooms. Over the years, we have identified effective protocols to monitor the growth of these amazing organisms - and in line with that, we have learned to engineer the properties of the resulting materials. We produce materials by growing selected strains of mycelium on pre-engineered substrates made of agro-industrial residues.

By tuning the matrix configuration, we are able to harvest different typologies of targeted materials within short timeframes and with limited use of resources. Alongside growth, the mycelium acts as a reinforcement to the matrix structure, creating a 100% plastic-free and coherent material composite. At the end of the production process, mycelium materials are made inert by slow drying, for reduced energy consumption. The resulting products are completely stable, safe, durable and biodegradable too!

From agro-industrial residues to luxury living environments, Mogu Floor is a collection of bio-based resilient tiles for interior design and architecture. A perfect solution to support a fully circular approach within the building industry.

Mogu Floor tiles consist of strong and stable mycelium-based core-boards, coupled with high-performance bio-based coatings integrating low-value biomasses. Such construction not only allows to deliver outstanding technical performances but also an appealing look and feel for everyday interiors.

The proprietary formulation of the highly bio-based resin incorporates low-value biomasses such as corn crops, rice straw, spent coffee grounds, discarded seaweed and clam shells, an alternative to traditional industrial pigments. Hence, the Natural pigments embedded in Mogu floor products appear visibly on the surface, providing a unique, elegant and eye-catching aesthetic to your floor and a touch of natural luxury to your overall interior.⁠

Mogu Floor tiles are designed as modular elements with an attractive design and distinctive tactile qualities, making them the most suitable solution for luxury living environments.

Making process

Fungal Fermentation (mycelium grown on agro-industrial substrates), bio-fabrication, mechanical post-processing, biopolymer development and lamination.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.