Arup Select language: EN ; ; FORESTA acoustic panel system, Acoustic panel system made from fungi offers innovative circular design solution for workplaces Share FORESTA acoustic panel system Talk about this project Get in touch How can bio-materials like fungi help businesses to sustainably flex their interior design to accommodate creative ways of working, while improving the acoustic quality of those workspaces? Many firms are considering their working arrangements for a post-pandemic world, adopting a hybrid approach split between home and the workplace. Office spaces need to be reconfigured to match the move to activity-based work, adapting areas for collaborative meetings as well as focused work. Fast growing raw materials like mycelium offer an innovative, sustainable approach to developing bio-composite sound-absorbing surfaces for interior fittings. Arup worked with Italian biodesign firm Mogu to develop FORESTA, a bio-degradable mycelium-based acoustic panel system with proven acoustic properties. According to a 2020 UN Environment Programme report, almost 40% of carbon emissions are created by the construction sector. Bio-composite materials offer a sustainable way forward away from traditional materials like plastics, metal and plaster. Biomaterials are key to decarbonise construction and to move away from a wasteful economy. At the same time, they open new horizons for architects to create beautiful and performative environments. Related topics (687) First steps towards a circular built environment Guideline for Building Services Design inspired by the Cradle to Cradle Concept Rethinking Timber Buildings Arup Careers Get in touch News and events © Arup 2021 All rights reserved Our policies Cookies Legal Modern Slavery Governance We need your consent to proceed We use cookies to personalise and enhance your experience on our site. By clicking 'Accept all cookies', you agree to our use of cookies for the purposes listed in our cookie consent tool. To see a complete list of the companies that use these cookies and other technologies and to tell us whether they can be used on your device or not, click 'Get more information' below. You can change your settings at any time. When you proceed to access our site, the companies listed in the consent will use cookies and other technologies. This is further explained in our Cookie Notice. Get more information Accept all cookies