Grown to Build: UPH Architecture Department Develops “Mycelium Blocks” for Sustainable Design
When we think of building materials, we usually think of concrete, steel, or plastic. However, Universitas Pelita Harapan’s (UPH) Department of Architecture is looking to nature for the future of construction. The department has successfully developed an innovative building material known as Mycelium-Based Composite (MBC) B-Blocks. Made by growing the root-like fibers of fungi (mycelium), these unique blocks are biodegradable, reusable, and highly adaptable, making them a game-changing alternative for temporary structures like exhibition pavilions, event stages, and pop-up installations.
The team recently introduced a series of powerful upgrades to the B-Blocks that tackle common challenges in green construction. This version features clever multi-angle connections, allowing architects to snap the blocks together in various shapes and directions like sustainable building bricks. Additionally, the new design improves the structure’s stability against side-to-side (lateral) forces, enhances natural airflow, and minimizes shrinking during the manufacturing process. This breakthrough represents a massive leap forward for eco-friendly design on campus and beyond. Through projects like this, the UPH Architecture Department continues to prove that impressive designs don’t have to come at the expense of our planet.
