02 April 2025
Keeping Buildings Cool With Mushrooms?

Keeping Buildings Cool With Mushrooms?

Scientists at NTU Singapore have found a way to do just that by developing wall tiles made from fungi and bamboo waste, inspired by the wrinkled texture of elephant skin.

These “fungi tiles” don’t just look cool — they keep buildings cool too. Thanks to the natural insulation properties of mycelium (the root network of fungi) and the heat-dispersing design inspired by elephant skin, these tiles cool 25% more effectively than flat ones. And in wet, tropical conditions? Cooling performance improves by a further 70%.

As a biodegradable, energy-free alternative to synthetic insulating materials, this nature-inspired innovation could offer a greener way to beat the heat, especially in our warming world. The team is now collaborating with local start-up Mykílio to scale up production and carry out real-world testing on building façades.

Learn how this sustainable solution is turning fungi into the future of green buildings.

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Photo: NTU scientists, in collaboration with local ecology and biomimicry design firm bioSEA, have developed ‘fungi tiles’ that could help cool buildings down without consuming energy. From left: NTU Assoc Prof Hortense Le Ferrand; bioSEA’s Dr Anuj Jain; NTU researcher Teo Jia Heng; NTU researcher Eugene Soh

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