Platinum Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2025

Mycelium Madison

Conceptual

Green & Eco-Friendly Design

Concept / Professional Category

Architect / Designer:

Jainika Shah

Studio:

JAINIKA SHAH

Design Team:

Jainika Shah

Country:

United States

Nestled in the capitol forest of Washington, the design draws its inspiration from the intertwining threads of mycelium. Mycelium is a long thread like mushroom roots, which typically grow in a humid and shaded area. These extremely thin white threads grow in all directions forming a strong web. The strong network of these mycelium filaments acts like an anchor for the mushroom.

The house tries to seek balance between built spaces and the surroundings and is designed with sustainability in mind. The eco-friendly & biodegradable Mycelium is used as a primary material for construction. They are fire resistant and non-toxic with high insulating abilities. Once dry, they become porous and therefore extremely lightweight. Mycelium is a renewable material, unlike traditional materials like steel and concrete. This low-cost material offers a promising step toward an architectural vision that is at one with nature. Natural vegetation is used as external shading to reduce the overall solar heat gain during summers while providing a barrier from the cold winds during winter. Passive and active climate control strategies have been utilized to provide optimal thermal, acoustic, and lighting comfort.

Mimicking the growth of mycelium, the intent of the design was to integrate the built space with the surrounding landscape while exploring the interplay of humans. The architecture feels like it’s diffusing and developing freely. The generative and ever evolving form resembles the growth of a mushroom. The surrounding landscape is interwoven with the interior spaces thus blurring the boundaries between the two. The interior spaces are segregated as well as blended, creating a natural flow between the spaces. The large opening and windows provide a panoramic view of the lake and evergreen vegetation

JAINIKA SHAH

Jainika is an internationally experienced architectural designer currently based in San Diego, California. With over 8 years of experience, Jainika has honed her skills by delivering a diverse range of projects across USA and India. Throughout her career she has overseen production and design of different architectural marvels while providing user and client satisfaction. Her mission has always been to create meaningful designs that add value to the existing community. Her consistent dedication has earned her great recognition in her field.