GrowUP is a modular building system for children made from an innovative mycelium composite material. The building blocks consist of wood chips naturally bound together by fungal mycelium. This creates a lightweight, sturdy, and sustainable material that requires no plastics or synthetic adhesives and makes productive use of wood waste.
Using simple geometric shapes, children can freely create structures, furniture, playhouses, or entire play landscapes, toxin-free. The system follows the principle of open-ended play, fostering creativity, spatial reasoning, and collaborative learning without dictating specific uses. Natural color pigments provide a child-friendly aesthetic.
GrowUP combines sustainable materials research with creative play, allowing children to experience ecological cycles firsthand.
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Barbara Schmidt, Prof. Dr. Zane Berzina, Prof. Dr. Lucy Norris, Mareen BaumeisterRelated projects
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