Mycelium Bricks and Building Blocks
Grow and assemble mycelium bricks and blocks, understanding compressive behavior, densification, joining and realistic structural limits.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Mycelium Bricks and Building Blocks
- 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 looks at mycelium bricks and blocks, from the experimental pavilions that made them famous to the more modest building products that are emerging today. You will learn how block geometry and modular design affect growth and assembly, how densification and pressing change compressive behavior, and how to run simple compression tests. Joining systems, from interlocking shapes to timber frames and dry assembly, are explored alongside weather protection.
Mycelium bricks attract attention, but they are often misunderstood as a direct substitute for fired clay or concrete. Understanding their realistic structural limits allows architects and builders to use them where they make sense: lightweight walls, temporary structures, infill and interior partitions. The course suits architects, builders and design students who want practical knowledge of grown building units. Live sessions include case analyses and test demonstrations. In the final project you design a modular mycelium block system for a small structure, including geometry, assembly logic, test plan and a clear statement of structural limits.
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 Architecture and experimental construction, Temporary and event structures, Biobased building products, Architectural education and research.
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:
Grow and assemble mycelium bricks and blocks, understanding compressive behavior, densification, joining and realistic structural limits.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: From pavilions to products: mycelium bricks; Block design and modular geometry.
- Put them into practice: Densification and pressing; Compressive testing.
- Apply everything to a real case: Joining and assembly systems; Weather protection and structural limits.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain what mycelium bricks can and cannot do structurally.
- Design modular block geometry suited to growth and assembly.
- Describe how densification changes block performance.
- Plan and interpret basic compression tests.
- Propose joining and weather protection strategies for block walls.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Architects, builders and design students.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior experience with mycelium is required. Basic knowledge of construction or architectural design is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Architectural designer developing grown building units
- Builder working on experimental and temporary structures
- Research assistant in an architecture lab
- Designer of pavilions and event structures
- Technical developer at a biobased construction start-up
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | From pavilions to products: mycelium bricks | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Block design and modular geometry | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Densification and pressing | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Compressive testing | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Joining and assembly systems | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Weather protection and structural limits | 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.
- Pavilions and early experiments
- Current building products
- Lessons from built examples
- Block size and proportion
- Interlocking and modular geometry
- Molds for repeatable blocks
- Why densify
- Pressing methods and pressures
- Effect on density and strength
- Compression test basics
- Preparing specimens
- Reading load and deformation
- Interlocking and dry assembly
- Hybrid systems with timber
- Adhesives and connectors
- Exposure to rain and humidity
- Protective cladding and coatings
- Realistic structural applications
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 modular mycelium block system for a small structure, with geometry, assembly logic, test plan and stated structural limits.
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 professor 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 participation in live sessions, module exercises such as block design studies, and a final block system project reviewed by the professor.
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 professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Design & Architecture at Fungaris 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 professor of 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. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of 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 Mycelium Bricks and Building Blocks?
No prior experience with mycelium is required. Basic knowledge of construction or architectural design is helpful.
How is Mycelium Bricks and Building Blocks 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 participation in live sessions, module exercises such as block design studies, and a final block system project reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
A modular mycelium block system for a small structure, with geometry, assembly logic, test plan and stated structural limits.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Mycelium Bricks and Building Blocks?
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).