Myco-fabrication allows for the creation of bio-circular materials from waste using mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. This process presents a promising alternative to traditional industrial fabrication methods. Yet, the process takes place in a sterile lab - while in its natural environment the organism thrives on the diversity of its interrelationships. It is in this disparity that we lose the opportunity to co-benefit in our manufacturing process.

The Aléa Method looks to expand on the current trajectory and limitations of myco-fabrication, and propose a new, more reciprocal bio-collaboration process that instead of isolating the organism from its environment, embraces its interrelationships. This exploration challenges the role of the designer and control over material and imagines new ways of making that benefit the more-than-human, acknowledging that our needs and that of nature are deeply intertwined.

The Aléa method grows mycelium on local organic waste substrates by using soil as a mold to fabricate objects below ground. Submerged in soil the mycelium thrives in its desired conditions and assembles the substrate solidifying the object of intent (a chair, a panel etc…) The mycelium continues to grow beyond the mold and thrives even after the object has been harvested - this opens up potential for a process to integrate mycelium’s capacity to nourish, restore and regenerate soils and human disturbed ecosystems.

This unique process allows us to bypass existing myco-fabrication steps, such as sterilization, additional energy and plastic molds to create a process that is resilient and fully autonomous from extractavist systems such as fossil fuels.

The Aléa method aims to open a new field of research integrating myco-fabrication into the local ecosystem with the potential for mycorerestoration.

First applications: Back to dirt, Made in soil, Potager des autres, Dirty chair