Living Textures and Mycelium Skin Co-Creation: Designing Colour, Pattern, and Performance for Bio-Aesthetic Expression in Mycelium-Bound Composites

Natural materials present sustainable opportunities in architectural design, but often lack the aesthetic controllability associated with synthetic alternatives. This research explores the bio-aesthetic potential of mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) cultivated from Ganoderma Steyaertanum (Reishi mushroom), focusing on how external stimuli and surface treatments influence material expression. This investigation was carried out through interdisciplinary collaboration involving design, architecture, and material science. Two post-demolding surface treatment strategies were applied to MBC samples: ‘Delayed Growth‘ and ‘Accelerated Growth‘. These treatments were designed to assess the mycelium’s responsiveness in terms of colour and texture development. A controlled set of samples was analysed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and hydrophobicity testing to evaluate changes in microstructure, chemical composition, and surface properties. The results demonstrate that mycelium exhibits a measurable capacity for aesthetic adaptation, with distinct variations in pigmentation and texture emerging under different treatment conditions. These findings highlight the potential for co-creative design processes with living materials and offer new insights into the integration of biological responsiveness in design practices. The study contributes to the advancement of sustainable material systems and expands the possibilities for bio-design through controlled interaction with bio-materials.