Mycelium Leather Workshop

Workshop Description

This workshop explores the transformation of pure mycelium into a flexible, leather-like textile. Participants will learn about the structural and material properties of pure-mycelium and how biofabrication techniques can be used to grow, process, and shape fungal materials into functional fabrics.

Through a guided hands-on session, you will work in a BSL-1 Lab environment and experiment with each stage of the fabrication process from harvesting, plasticisation, heat treatment and dehydration revealing how fungal matter can be grown, processed and designed with.

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This is part two of a three-part workshop series (Part 1: Liquid Cultures workshop, Part 3: Fungal Matter workshop) exploring the full lifecycle of mycelium leather from living culture to finished textile. Blending laboratory methods with craft-based processes, participants will gain hands-on experience with biofabrication techniques used to grow, transform, and finish fungal materials.

Each workshop can be taken individually or as part of the full journey, where you will gain a complete overview of the biofabrication techniques used to grow, transform and finish fungal materials.

You will learn:

• The material science and properties of mycelium leather
• Core biofabrication techniques for textile transformation
• How heat, plasticisation and dehydration alter performance and texture

You will take home:

• A sample of mycelium leather created during the workshop
• The knowledge and protocols to continue material experimentation outside the lab

Akir Hall is a London-based biodesigner and material researcher working at the intersection of biofabrication and craft. A graduate of the MA Biodesign, Akir works with living systems blending artisanal techniques with biotechnology to develop products grown from bacteria, fungi. 

Alongside his studio practice, Akir shares his research through lectures and hands-on workshops designed to make complex biotechnologies accessible to designers, artists, and makers. His previous workshops include Microbial Materiality (natural and microbial dyes for bacterial cellulose), Knitting with Nature (marine biopolymer and bacterial cellulose yarn making and weaving), Cultivating Cyanobacteria, Circular Biomaterials (oyster shell–based composites using 3D-printed moulds), and Mycelium Biofabrication (mycelium composite fabrication with digital moulding techniques). He has also taught Managing Sustainability at Bath Spa University, London, supporting students in embedding circular thinking into their creative practice.

Akir’s work has been featured by Tocco Earth, Dulcie Journal, The Kindcraft, Hive Curates, and the Climate Emergency Network, and exhibited internationally at Dutch Design Week, Bioart Laboratories, Lethaby Gallery, Broadworks by Hive and Botanical Bodies. Through podcasting, he spotlights biodesigners and shares their stories, helping to make biodesign more accessible and support a shift toward a more regenerative material culture.

@akirhall

akirhall.com

Extra Info

Accessibility Statement:

Lifefabs Institute is committed to ensuring that our events and workshops are as accessible as possible and meet the ever-changing needs of our community. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of our workshops, we are constantly learning and adjusting our workflows to prioritise accessibility.

We’d love to hear any feedback our community might have.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any specific accessibility requirements or questions.

Seating:

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at [email protected] and we'd be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing [email protected]

Support to Attend Our Events & Workshops

Lifefabs Institute may be able to offer financial assistance to enable adults or children to participate in our events and activities if this would otherwise be financially difficult.

Please contact our team: [email protected] and we will aim to agree a reduction or bursary or wavier your fee free of charge.

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Host or Publisher Lifefabs Institute: Biofabrication Lab