At this year’s 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen, Aifunghi, a new design brand founded by former Moooi product developers, unveiled a collection of mycelium-based furniture, including a series of innovative chairs. The debut collection demonstrates that sustainable furniture can be both aesthetically appealing and feasible for mass production.
Aifunghi, which aims to be the first design brand solely dedicated to mycelium furniture, was founded by Dutch designers Bart Schilder and his wife, Marije, along with fellow Moooi alumni Michiel Geluk and Mo Aouraghé. The brand’s mission is clear: to make mycelium furniture more attractive and marketable.
“We wanted to make it—although I hate the word—a little bit more sexy,” said Schilder. “We didn’t want to create something that felt alienating but rather something practical and accessible for people to buy.”
The standout pieces in Aifunghi’s debut collection are a series of furry mycelium chairs. These are part of a broader range that includes tables and lamps, all designed in collaboration with Geluk and Aouraghé. The pieces showcase Aifunghi’s innovative approach to sustainable materials, combining hemp fibers with mycelium—a fungal root structure—to create a bio-composite material.
As mycelium grows, it naturally binds the hemp fibers, forming a durable and moldable material. Crucially, this process occurs without the use of plastic. Aifunghi’s commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of their products: the chairs are 100% compostable and free of petroleum-based plastics. Instead of traditional padding, the chairs feature bio-foam made from seaweed, produced by Norwegian biomaterials startup Agoprene.
The upholstery is made from a plastic-free faux fur sourced from BioFluff, which is made from agricultural waste materials such as nettle, hemp, and flax. This innovative material was previously used by fashion brand Ganni for a collection of fluffy handbags.
One of the most significant achievements of Aifunghi’s debut collection is that its dining chair has become the first mycelium chair in the world to pass the EN16139 Level 1 test for contract seating. This certification means the chair can withstand up to 30 years of heavy use.
“We want to make it available for contract use, so you can buy 40 pieces, and they’ll all be identical,” Schilder explained. “That’s our mission.”
To meet this demand, Aifunghi’s sister company, Growmolding, has established a semi-industrial facility in Enkhuizen, Netherlands, capable of producing up to 1,200 pieces annually. This sets Aifunghi apart from other mycelium furniture brands, which typically produce limited runs or one-off pieces.
In addition to the mycelium chairs, the collection features the Campinio pendant and table lamps, which combine plant-based fur exteriors with mycelium interiors, casting a soft, diffused light. Aifunghi’s Bolete side tables, meanwhile, pair upholstered bases with fused glass tabletops, made from glass shards salvaged during the production of mouth-blown glass. The result is unique, colorful panels that give each table a distinct visual character.
With its focus on both sustainability and style, Aifunghi is redefining what mycelium furniture can be, making it an exciting option for consumers and businesses alike.
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