furf design studio grows mycelium in 3D printed molds to sculpt sustainable divine deities

fusing modern design processes with traditional art

Fusing traditional crafts with high-tech innovation, Furf Design Studio sculpts divine deities using natural material mycelium for its new collection ‘Faith’. Adapting a sustainable approach to emblemize the plurality of Brazilian religious syncretism, the designers pay homage to Holy Mary, Buddha and Iemanjá.

An unusual material for sculpting historic figures, mycelium has been grown in 3D printed molds of the figures, with each piece developing into a distinct shape due to the natural growth of the material. With a negative carbon footprint, each piece cleanses the environment and pays homage to historic divine deities. ‘With a negative carbon footprint, it cleans the environment with its production,’ notes the design studio.

Iemanjá: a central deity in the Candomblé religion and the queen of the sea | all images courtesy Furf Design Studio

furf design studio pays homage to divine deities

Throughout history, from the grand gold-plated Buddha at Wat Pho to Michelangelo’s iconic Pietà, divine sculptures have been made using the most noble materials of each region and era. Today, Furf Design Studio reimagines historic statues using the materials and design processes of today — fusing biomaterial mycelium with 3D printing. ‘We believe this can be the generation of regeneration and these new noble materials should be seen with the value it sustains.’

Each sculpture of ‘Faith’ embodies a harmonious dialogue between the traditional and the technological. The design team began their process by 3D scanning traditional sculptures of popular saints and deities. The renderings were then enhanced using a high-tech software developed by Brazilian start-up Mush to create 3D printed molds which serve as a cradle for the growth of mycelium. The molds were then left to grow at their own natural pace, developing into distinct models of deities worshipped in Brazilian religious syncretism.

with a negative carbon footprint, each sculpture cleanses the environment with its production

Holy Mary sculpture

traditional sculptures are 3D scanned and 3D printed to create cradles for the growth of mycelium

mycelium is used as a sculpting material for its natural, durable qualities

each of the seven units of each figure are unique, due to mycelium’s natural growth

project info:

name: Faith
designer: Furf Design Studio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom