Biofabrication Studio Practice: Setting Up a Mycelium Lab
Plan and run a small biofabrication studio with clean workflows, contamination control and safe, repeatable mycelium growing routines.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Biofabrication Studio Practice: Setting Up a Mycelium Lab
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycelium Design & Architecture. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This course shows you how to plan and run a small biofabrication studio where mycelium can be grown safely and repeatably. You will work through studio layout and equipment choices, sterile technique, culture and spawn handling, contamination control, health and safety, and the documentation that turns one-off successes into reliable routines. Emphasis is placed on proportionate solutions that suit a design studio rather than a full research laboratory.
Many designers start growing mycelium enthusiastically and then lose weeks to contamination or results they cannot repeat. A well-organized studio prevents that and makes collaboration with clients and partners far easier. The course suits designers, makers and studio managers who want to set up or improve a growing space, whether in a corner of a workshop or a dedicated room. Live sessions include walkthroughs of real studio setups and troubleshooting clinics. In the final project you produce a complete studio plan with layout, equipment list, standard operating procedures and a contamination response protocol.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in design & architecture, useful in areas such as design studios and makerspaces, biomaterials start-ups, education and community workshops, research and innovation labs.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
Plan and run a small biofabrication studio with clean workflows, contamination control and safe, repeatable mycelium growing routines.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Studio layout and equipment; Sterile technique and clean workflows.
- Put them into practice: Culture handling and spawn; Contamination control.
- Apply everything to a real case: Health, safety and waste; Documentation and repeatability.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Plan a studio layout that separates clean and contaminated workflows.
- Apply sterile technique when handling cultures and spawn.
- Diagnose common contamination problems and trace their causes.
- Manage health, safety and waste risks in a growing space.
- Write standard operating procedures and batch records for repeatable results.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Designers, makers and studio managers.
4.2Entry requirements
No laboratory experience is required. Access to a small room or workshop corner is useful for applying the exercises, though not essential to follow the course.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Biofabrication studio manager
- Technician in a design or materials lab
- Maker running a small mycelium workshop
- Studio lead in an architecture or design practice
- Workshop coordinator in a makerspace or school
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Studio layout and equipment | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Sterile technique and clean workflows | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Culture handling and spawn | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Contamination control | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Health, safety and waste | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Documentation and repeatability | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Zoning clean and dirty areas
- Essential and optional equipment
- Budgeting a small studio
- Principles of sterile technique
- Still-air boxes and flow hoods
- Clean workflow sequencing
- Receiving and storing cultures
- Grain spawn preparation
- Expanding cultures safely
- Recognizing common contaminants
- Root-cause analysis
- Isolation and disposal routines
- Spores, allergens and ventilation
- Safe use of pressure cookers and heat
- Managing spent substrate
- Lab notebooks and batch records
- Standard operating procedures
- Reproducing results reliably
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A complete plan for a small mycelium studio, including layout, equipment list, operating procedures and a contamination response protocol.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through live session participation and module exercises such as a layout sketch and a contamination log. The final studio plan is reviewed by the instructor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your instructor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Design & Architecture school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrollment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Biofabrication Studio Practice: Setting Up a Mycelium Lab?
No laboratory experience is required. Access to a small room or workshop corner is useful for applying the exercises, though not essential to follow the course.
How is Biofabrication Studio Practice: Setting Up a Mycelium Lab taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through live session participation and module exercises such as a layout sketch and a contamination log. The final studio plan is reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A complete plan for a small mycelium studio, including layout, equipment list, operating procedures and a contamination response protocol.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Biofabrication Studio Practice: Setting Up a Mycelium Lab?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Product Design.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).