MAE-LING LOKKO
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS: MAE-LING LOKKO AND MAGICAL MUSHROOM COMPANY® COLLABORATE ON MYCELIUM PANELS
BUILDING MATERIALS EXHIBITION
Mae-ling Lokko, an artist, designer, and architectural scientist from Ghana and the Philippines, is renowned for her work in sustainable materials. Specialising in upcycling agricultural waste into high-performance, clean building materials, Mae-ling’s work has garnered international acclaim, including nominations for the Visible Award and Royal Academy Dorfman Award.
For her first European solo exhibition, Grounds for Return at Z33 House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture in Belgium, Mae-ling partnered with Magical Mushroom Company® to create 600 mycelium panels for two installations: Healing Meadow and Mycotunnel. This collaboration highlights the transformative potential of mycelium in sustainable construction and art.
“WORKING WITH MMC MADE THE PROCESS INCREDIBLY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND EFFICIENT.”
THE PROBLEM
PRODUCING LARGE QUANTITIES OF EXHIBITION PANELS AT SCALE
Mae-ling’s vision for Grounds for Return included 300 intricately patterned panels for her Healing Meadow floor exhibit and 300 acoustic wall panels for the Mycotunnel installation.
As an independent designer, she faced the challenge of growing large quantities of mycelium panels with the precision and scale required for her ambitious designs. Without the space or infrastructure to produce these panels, Mae-ling needed a trusted partner to bring her vision to life.
THE SOLUTION
PARTNER WITH THE EXPERTS TO DELIVER VOLUME WITHIN DEADLINES
Mae-ling partnered with Magical Mushroom Company®, the only operation in Europe capable of delivering this project.
Mae-ling provided CAD designs to MMC’s industrial design team in Esher, UK. The skilled team combined recycled hemp with mycelium using technology pioneered by Ecovative to grow 600 biodegradable, planet-friendly panels.
The panels were grown, shaped, and prepared in just four weeks at MMC’s Mushroom 1 plant in Esher before being shipped to Belgium. The seamless collaboration between Mae-ling and MMC ensured the project met its tight deadlines and high standards.
THE RESULT
HIGHLIGHTING THE BEAUTY & VERSATLITY OF MYCELIUM MATERIALS
The Grounds for Return exhibition showcased the incredible potential of mycelium in sustainable design and construction.
The mycelium panels transformed waste products into beautiful, functional building materials, demonstrating a circular approach to agriculture and architecture. MMC delivered high-quality, customisable panels at scale, enabling Mae-ling to realise her ambitious designs on time and with no waste.
The collaboration between Mae-ling Lokko and Magical Mushroom Company® highlighted the scope, versatility, and aesthetic appeal of mycelium materials. This project is a milestone for sustainable building and a testament to the power of partnerships in creating innovative solutions for the future.
“The lifecycle of mycelium-based building materials and products is compelling; they take renewable resources in the form of agricultural and food waste. It is a low-energy, non-toxic production method to produce materials we need.
Working with Magical Mushroom Company® to grow large quantities of mycelium panels made this process incredibly straightforward and efficient. The team is incredibly professional and easy to work with.”
Mae-ling Lokko
