Mushroom-grown pavilion constructed for Dutch Design Week

A pavilion made entirely from bio-based products has been used as an events space at Dutch Design Week.

Named ‘the Growing Pavilion,’ the construction made use of panels that had been grown from mushroom mycelium and then attached to a timber frame for support.

The pavilion was designed by set designer and artist Pascal Leboucq alongside the Krown Design studio.

“There are a lot of bio-based materials but they can be hard to recognise at first, and they often stay at sample stage," Leboucq said. "I really wanted to make a bigger statement, so that a lot of people can discover this fantastic material."

"The idea of the Growing Pavilion started from the mushrooms, but it became bigger. Everything is built from plants and trees or agricultural waste," he continued.

A bio-based coating produced by the Inca people from Mexico was used on the outer panels. The panels can be removed and then reattached as necessary, while the floors were made from cattail – a type of reed. Interior and exterior benches were also made from agricultural waste.

The idea of the Growing Pavilion started from the mushrooms, but it became bigger. Everything is built from plants and trees or agricultural waste,

With the panels being easily removable, they can also be re-used for other constructions.

The space was also used to display bio-based products created by other designers. Products amongst the display included ‘Manureality,’ a collection of furniture made from horse manure by Martijn Straatman, and Living Skin by Aniela Hoitink – clothes made from materials such as mycelium, kombucha and algae.