The Lovely Trash Column was our very first experiment with 3D-printing living structures using mycelium—and the starting point of an entirely new way of designing with waste. Made from discarded coffee cups and inoculated with the root network of mushrooms, this column marked the beginning of our journey exploring how living organisms can shape architecture.

Unlike later projects, the Lovely Trash Column came with many unknowns. We faced countless challenges, from developing a printable material that could also support fungal growth, to figuring out how geometry affects humidity, airflow, and colonization. It taught us invaluable lessons about mycelium as both a living partner and a design constraint.

This piece reflects both the beauty and the complexity of working with living matter. We documented the process in a short video, which you can watch below.