Green-technology group Ecovative has taken the idea of sustainable homes to a whole new level -- with mushrooms.
According to Fast Company, the company's dedication to finding "cost-effective alternatives to plastic insulation and packaging" led them to discover the magic of mycelium, a fungal network of threadlike cells that make it possible to bind agricultural byproducts together. The result? Using shrooms to replace wasteful plastic and styrofoam insulation.
They explain how it works on the company blog:
"Ecovative uses mycelium (mushroom “roots”) to bond together agricultural byproducts like corn stalks into a material that can replace plastic foam. Mushroom Insulation grows into wood forms over the course of a few days, forming an airtight seal. It dries over the next month (kind of like how concrete cures) and you are left with an airtight wall that is extremely strong."
Aside from concerns about the tiny house's durability and longevity (which Ecovative is addressing,) the prospect of using this alternative actually seems promising. Let us know if you'd be cool with a mushroom home in the comments below.
Click through the slideshow to see photos of the "Mushroom Tiny House." For more information about the science behind this sustainable substitute, watch the video above or head over to Ecovative's official blog. A major hat tip to Fast Company, where you can learn more about the company's growth over the years.
Mushroom Tiny House
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