TOM DIXON - MILAN
SUSTAINABLE SCULPTURE: TOM DIXON AND MAGICAL MUSHROOM COMPANY® AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK
THE MYCELIUM TOWERS
British designer Tom Dixon explored the cutting-edge possibilities of sustainable materials in his Twenty exhibition at Milan Design Week, celebrating two decades of his innovative work.
Already familiar with the potential of fungi, Dixon collaborated with Magical Mushroom Company® to challenge perceptions of mycelium - a material predominantly used for packaging - by transforming it into a striking sculptural installation.
The result was the Mycelium Towers, a collection of totem-like sculptures infused with scent, combining artistic expression with material innovation.
“WHAT’S INTERESTING RIGHT NOW IS NEW WAYS OF WORKING WITH OLD MATERIALS.”
THE PROBLEM
CREATE AN IMPACTFUL INSTALLATION FOR MILAN DESIGN WEEK THAT SHOWCASED MYCELIUM’S BEAUTY
Synthetic foams and petrochemical-based materials dominate the design industry, with few credible alternatives offering equivalent performance.
Tom Dixon sought a sustainable, planet-friendly material that could match the versatility of these synthetic options. Having worked with mycelium in the past, he wanted to push the boundaries of its application beyond packaging to demonstrate its potential as a sculptural medium.
The challenge was to create an impactful installation for Milan Design Week that showcased mycelium’s beauty, texture, and versatility while meeting tight deadlines.
THE SOLUTION
COLLABORATED WITH TOM DIXON TO PRODUCE, SCENT INFUSED, MYCELIUM BASED SCULPTURES IN KIT FORM
Magical Mushroom Company® collaborated with Tom Dixon to grow the Mycelium Towers using their biodegradable Mushroom® Packaging material.
At their new Attenborough facility, MMC combined mycelium with recycled agricultural byproducts, such as hemp, in specially designed moulds. The compostable material was grown within days, shipped to Italy, and assembled into the final sculptures.
The towers were also infused with Dixon’s new Root scent, leveraging mycelium-bound hemp as an effective scent-diffusing material to enhance the sensory experience of the installation.
THE RESULT
THE ‘MYCELIUM TOWERS’ CAPTIVATED MILAN DESIGN WEEK VISITORS WITH THEIR UNIQUE BEAUTY AND TEXTURE
Visitors to Milan Design Week were captivated by the scope, beauty, and texture of the Mycelium Towers, which demonstrated the artistic and functional potential of mycelium beyond traditional packaging.
The installation highlighted mycelium’s versatility as both a sustainable material and an innovative medium for design, sparking conversations about the future of biomaterials in art and industry.
Additionally, Dixon’s discovery of mycelium’s scent-diffusing properties opened new opportunities for using the material in experiential design. The project reinforced both Tom Dixon and Magical Mushroom Company® as pioneers in sustainable innovation.
“The mysterious world of mushrooms has recently exploded into one of the most exciting sectors of scientific study.
There’s a lot of new material research going on, but very few things are mature enough to compete with traditional materials. That equation is changing. Mycelium is not new, but it’s never been used in this way. Innovations can come from odd places.”
Tom Dixon, British Designer
