NASA is to build moon houses from mushrooms

This idea has been actively developed since 2018, when the corresponding project received funding under the Innovative Advanced Concepts program.

Myco-architecture is a subdivision of architecture in which mushroom mycelium is used as the main building material. NASA is very interested in myco-architecture right now. At the moment, scientists are developing technology for creating various objects from the mycelium. This will be very useful in the absence of other building materials, on the Moon, for example.

It is difficult to deliver building materials to other planets, so most of them will have to be manufactured on the spot. Mushrooms are perfect for the role of materials source, since you can get a whole plantation from one of their seedlings. And genetic engineering will help us endow the mycelium with new characteristics.

The plan is to give the mycelium a certain shape, after which the building material will undergo heat treatment and gain strength. The resulting substance does not pass air and electric current, and it is resistant to fire and damage. At the moment, scientists have already created several prototypes of moon furniture. It took around 2 weeks to grow a chair.