MushLume pioneers biofabrication with mycelium and hemp at MADE: Bush Terminal
Design studio merges biomimicry with sustainable lighting and acoustic solutions.
1Biofabrication lab opens
MushLume establishes its new biofabrication laboratory at MADE: Bush Terminal, a revitalized industrial workspace in Brooklyn. The studio combines design, cultivation, and production under one roof, transitioning from experimental lab to commercial producer. Their facility features public-facing spaces for workshops and client demonstrations, showcasing the entire biomaterial creation process from inoculation to final product.
2Living material innovation
MushLume grows lighting fixtures and acoustic panels using mycelium (mushroom roots) and agricultural hemp waste. Unlike traditional manufacturing, they co-create with living organisms, allowing materials to grow in custom molds within 7-10 days. This process eliminates the need for synthetic materials, creating products that are fully compostable at end-of-life while maintaining commercial-grade fire safety standards.
3Biomimicry design philosophy
Founder Danielle Trofe approaches design by studying biological systems rather than copying visual forms. The studio analyzes how organisms function at ecosystem and cellular levels, using nature's evolutionary solutions to inform material development. This differs from conventional sustainable design by treating organisms as active collaborators rather than passive resources, requiring controlled humidity and temperature environments for growth.
4Commercial performance
MushLume's biofabricated materials achieve Class A fire ratings through mycelium's natural flame resistance, without chemical retardants. The porous hemp-mycelium matrix provides built-in acoustic dampening, creating dual-function lighting systems that absorb sound while illuminating spaces. These performance characteristics make the products viable alternatives for architects specifying healthy, low-carbon materials for commercial interiors.
5Circular production model
The studio operates a closed-loop system where agricultural waste becomes raw material. Hemp byproducts are upcycled and combined with lab-grown mycelium, requiring minimal energy input compared to traditional manufacturing. Production occurs in compact spaces through tightly scheduled cultivation cycles (growing, drying, storing), demonstrating how handcrafted biomaterials can achieve commercial scalability.
6Industry collaboration
Located in Brooklyn's Sunset Park maker community, MushLume benefits from proximity to diverse fabricators. The studio collaborates with metalworkers, woodshops, and digital fabrication experts, mirroring natural ecosystems' resource-sharing principles. This creative cross-pollination accelerates innovation as they expand into new product categories while maintaining biomaterial purity.
7Market education
Beyond production, MushLume prioritizes educating architects and designers about biomaterials' viability. Their public lab hosts workshops demonstrating hands-on biomaterial cultivation, targeting professionals seeking sustainable alternatives. The studio emphasizes performance data and lifecycle benefits to shift specifications toward compostable, non-toxic materials in commercial projects.
8Future of bio-design
MushLume's consolidation at MADE: Bush Terminal signals biomaterials' transition from niche experiments to scalable solutions. By proving commercial viability through fire ratings, acoustic performance, and cost competitiveness, they challenge mass-produced alternatives. Their model demonstrates how design can partner with biological systems to address construction's environmental impact without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.