Mycelium insulates experimental timber pavilion by Myceen and EKA PAKK

Insulation panels made using mycelium and a modular timber construction system were used to create PAKK Pavilion, an angular timber structure in Tallinn, developed by materials company Myceen and the architecture department at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

PAKK Pavilion is being used to field test and showcase insulation panels developed by Myceen from mycelium – a biomaterial that forms the root systems of fungi.

The experimental structure was built in collaboration with EKA PAKK, the timber research centre within the Faculty of Architecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA).

Myceen has previously used mycelium-based materials in the design of a series of pendant lampshades, but this is its first time using them as building products, with the intention of offering a sustainable alternative to mineral wool or expanded polystyrene insulation.

Known as mycocomposite, Myceen's panels use the growth of mycelium as a natural binder for industrial residues such as sawdust and wood pulp, before halting its growth through a specialised drying method.

"Talking with architects, builders and prefab house producers around Europe has given us confidence that the material is needed in the market," said Myceen CEO and co-founder Siim Karro.

EKA PAKK led the construction of the pavilion itself, using research from two of its ongoing projects, named Pattern Building and sLender.

Pattern Building is an open-source, modular timber construction system developed by the school to be easy to disassemble, modify or expand depending on requirements. Meanwhile, sLender is a facade system.

For the pavilion's structure, ash dieback timber was used to create a cubic frame, which was then clad in planks of timber.

The sLender facade system, which gives PAKK Pavilion its distinctive angular appearance, was developed as a means of countering the risk of "homogenisation" in the refurbishment of Estonia's ageing housing stock.

The lozenge-shaped, modular timber sections are designed to over-clad existing structures, providing improved insulation, balconies, as well as elevator and stair modules.

In the PAKK Pavilion, these modules wrap a terrace at the front of the structure, as well as a straight staircase that leads up to a roof terrace.

Within this modular structure, Myceen's mycocomposite insulation panels will be examined until the end of 2026 to assess their thermal performance and mould risk.

"Preliminary results reveal no condensation or mould risks, demonstrating excellent moisture management for our biocomposites," said Myceen's head of science Killu Leet.

"Furthermore, measured U-values indicate superior thermal resistance compared to mineral wool under the same conditions," she added.

Mycelium also recently featured in a pavilion designed by London practice Studio Weave, landscape designer Tom Massey and furniture designer Sebastian Cox, where it was used to bind agricultural waste from Cox's practice into a series of textured facade panels.

Other projects on Dezeen that make use of the biomaterial include a "first-of-its-kind" mycelium-insulated stage at Glastonbury and a restaurant in Ukraine that uses it as curtains.

The photography is courtesy of Myceen. 

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