Why are mycelium bricks considered a low-energy and biodegradable building material?

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Civil engineering — civil engineering Barge in a lock on the Grand Canal d'Alsace at Marckolsheim, Alsace, France.

Mycelium bricks are considered a low-energy and biodegradable building material because they are produced through natural biological processes rather than energy-intensive manufacturing.

The production of these bricks involves combining agricultural waste—such as sawdust or husks—with fungal hyphae. The fungi act as a natural binding agent, growing through the waste to create a sturdy, lightweight composite. Because this material is formed via natural growth, it requires significantly less energy to produce than traditional construction materials. Once the desired shape is achieved, the bricks are simply heat-treated to halt fungal growth.

Furthermore, because they are composed of organic agricultural byproducts and fungal matter, the bricks are biodegradable. Their use in civil engineering aligns with the principles of sustainable development, as they offer a low-impact alternative to conventional materials. Additionally, when used as insulation, mycelium-derived materials can further reduce a building's overall energy consumption by improving thermal efficiency.1