Anomalia Studio Leads the Way with Sustainable Mushroom-Based Furniture
Homegrown design studio Anomalia is transforming the future of sustainable furniture by turning to an unexpected source—mushrooms. Known for their nutritional and medicinal properties, mushrooms are now making their mark in the design world, thanks to their underground network of mycelium. Anomalia, a design-forward studio founded by Bhakti V Loonawat and Suyash Sawant, is pioneering the use of mycelium as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials in the furniture industry.
Rooted in a philosophy that challenges design conventions, Anomalia’s mission is to create a positive ecological impact through innovation. Their project, ‘MycoLiving,’ is a breakthrough furniture line that replaces conventional materials like leather and foam with mycelium-based alternatives. The use of mycelium—nature’s hidden architect—presents a game-changing solution for an industry notorious for its environmental footprint. Fast furniture, made from hard-to-recycle composites, is a significant contributor to the global waste crisis, and Anomalia’s alternative approach seeks to combat this.
Starting as small experiments in 2019, Loonawat and Sawant have expanded their exploration of mycelium into a diverse array of applications, from packaging to lighting and, most notably, furniture. Their innovative work will take center stage at the Conscious Collective Event in December 2024, where they plan to unveil load-bearing mycelium blocks, developed in collaboration with Godrej Design Lab and Roha Bio.
Become a Premium Member to access our exclusive contents: https://authindia.com/premium-community-membership/ In addition to their focus on mycelium, Anomalia is making waves with their ‘Elephant in the Room’ collection, which repurposes recycled multilayer plastics into durable, fire-resistant furniture. This series addresses the growing plastic waste crisis by transforming discarded materials into functional pieces.
Loonawat, with a background in architecture and clay-based composites, and Sawant, an architect with a focus on the relationship between people, time, and space, are the creative minds behind the studio. Their shared commitment to sustainable design blends material science and innovative processes, embracing Solarpunk philosophies that envision a future where technology and nature coexist harmoniously.
Anomalia’s use of mycelium and other sustainable materials demonstrates a bold step forward in eco-friendly design, proving that innovative thinking can lead to a more resilient and sustainable future for both humans and the environment.
Pictures by Anomalia | https://www.instagram.com/anomalia.in
