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Mycotecture Mushroom Tower at MoMA's PS1A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/hy-fi-tower-made-of-self-assembling-mushroom-root-bricks-rises-at-moma-ps1/">curious fungus-based structure</a> has sprouted from the courtyard of <a href="http://momaps1.org/yap/view/17">MoMA PS1</a> in Queens, NY, and it's blurring the lines between biology and architecture. Designed to be completely biodegradable and compostable, the new Hy-Fi tower by architect David Benjamin and his firm, <a href="http://www.thelivingnewyork.com/">The Living</a>, is the world's first public pavilion constructed using <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/hy-fi-tower-made-of-self-assembling-mushroom-root-bricks-rises-at-moma-ps1/">self-assembling mycelium (mushroom root) bricks</a> developed by NY-based materials company <a href="http://www.ecovativedesign.com/">Ecovative</a>. The fascinating form was the winner of this year's Young Architects Program competition, and will be unveiled to the public today. Click through our <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/worlds-first-tower-made-from-mushrooms-rises-at-ps1-in-queens-ny/mushroom-tower-2-2/">gallery</a> for a sneak peek!1
Mycotecture Mushroom Tower at MoMA's PS1More than just a public pavilion, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/hy-fi-tower-made-of-self-assembling-mushroom-root-bricks-rises-at-moma-ps1/">Hy-Fi tower</a> is an experiment in biological architecture using a new method of bio-design conceived by David Benjamin.2
Hy-Fi Mushroom Tower at MoMA's PS1 - Interior viewInside the Hy-Fi tower.3
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerRather than manufacturing the bricks, Benjamin and The Living actually <em>grew</em> the organic "bio-bricks" that make up the structure by adding <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/worlds-first-house-made-of-mushrooms-being-grown-in-new-york/">mycelium</a> (a mushroom root material) to low-value corn crop waste collected from farmers.4
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerThe mixture was then poured into rectangular molds in which the mycelium self-populated over the course of a few days.5
The Living's David Benjamin in front of Hy-Fi towerDavid Benjamin stands with his creation.6
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerThe fascinating form was the winner of this year's Young Architects Program competition.7
Mycotecture Mushroom Tower at MoMA's PS1The tower was unveiled to the press on June 26th.8
Mushroom Tower at PS1 in Queens, with wind-turbine building in the backgroundThe tower will be taken down and composted after the summer.9
The Hy-Fi Mushroom Tower at PS1The inside of the tower actually smells a bit shroomy.10
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerThe resulting bio-bricks are made using almost no energy or carbon emissions, and can be composted at the end of their life cycle.11
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerAs you can see from our photos, the tower is also topped with shiny bricks that are actually the molds in which the organic bricks were grown. Coated in a reflective material developed by 3M, the molds serve a secondary purpose of refracting light down into the pavilion for those visiting the courtyard for MoMA PS1's summer Warm-Up concert series.12
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerThe <a href="http://press.moma.org/2014/01/young-architects-program-2014/">Hy-Fi mushroom tower </a>will open to the public on June 27th and will be on view through the summer until September 7th.13
Giant Mushroom Tower Pops Up in QueensMore than just a public pavilion, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/hy-fi-tower-made-of-self-assembling-mushroom-root-bricks-rises-at-moma-ps1/">Hy-Fi tower</a> is an experiment in biological architecture using a new method of bio-design conceived by David Benjamin. Rather than manufacturing the bricks, Benjamin and The Living actually grew the organic "bio-bricks" that make up the structure by adding <a href="http://inhabitat....<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-tower-made-from-mushrooms-rises-at-ps1-in-queens-ny/'>READ ARTICLE</a>14
Behold the mushroom towerMore than just a public pavilion, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/hy-fi-tower-made-of-self-assembling-mushroom-root-bricks-rises-at-moma-ps1/">Hy-Fi tower</a> is an experiment in biological architecture using a new method of bio-design conceived by David Benjamin. Rather than manufacturing the bricks, Benjamin and The Living actually grew the organic "bio-bricks" that make up the structure by adding <a href="http://inhabitat....<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-tower-made-from-mushrooms-rises-at-ps1-in-queens-ny/'>READ ARTICLE</a>15
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom Tower<big><a href="http://www.thelivingnewyork.com/">+ The Living</a></big>16
The Living Hy-Fi World's First Mushroom TowerA closer look at the mycelium bricks.17
