PhD project Can buildings be grown, not just built? This PhD develops nature-inspired geometries and living, bio-based 3D-printable composites to create lightweight shells that store carbon instead of emitting it. By letting form and material work together, the research sketches a circular construction system that reduces waste and energy. The goal is to develop prefabricated building components for affordable, scalable, carbon-negative construction practices.
We pair design, materials research and digital fabrication to turn local by-products into building components. The work investigates printable composites based on mycelium, biochar and wood fibers. We study how geometry and processing affect strength, interlayer bonding, moisture behavior and dimensional stability. We also estimate impact and value through simulations and life-cycle analysis. We develop lab-scale prototypes and aim to collaborate with industry partners to build demonstrators that could inspire new approaches to circular building technology.
The construction industry is responsible for a large portion of global carbon emissions and resource use. In Sweden, where sustainability is a pressing national agenda, new approaches are needed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance and scalability. This project takes inspiration from natural systems, where efficiency emerges from minimal use of resources. By studying biomimetic geometries and applying them to architectural shells, the research aims to create structures that are both materially efficient and carbon-negative, offering a new paradigm for circular construction.
The methodology combines computational generative design with digital fabrication. Reaction–diffusion algorithms and other biomimetic processes are used to generate double-curved geometries optimized for structural performance. These designs are manufactured through 3D printing using composites based on mycelium biochar and sawdust, sourced from local biogas and forestry industries. The integration of bio-based binders, prefabrication methods, and modular assembly is tested to ensure scalability. Mechanical performance, durability, and life-cycle impact are systematically evaluated through experiments and finite element simulations.
This project shows how design, material, and fabrication can be combined into new forms of carbon-negative building systems. Through the use of mycelium and biochar composites, the shells lower material consumption while acting as carbon sinks, providing a viable alternative to conventional concrete or synthetic materials. By testing both structural performance and environmental benefits, the research supports Sweden’s efforts toward circular construction. The outcomes are intended not only for academic contribution but also as practical references for architects, engineers, and industry partners exploring circular building practices.
