A pavilion made of mycelium bricks

Design studio Andre Kong Studio designed a garden pavilion made of mycelium bricks.

Called Homegrown Wonderland, the pavilion was designed of the New York Botanical Gardens’ “Wonderland: Curious Nature” exhibition, which explores the fantastical world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The pavilion also takes inspiration from Carroll’s story. The choice for mycelium, the root system of mushrooms, refers to a scene in the book in which Alice consumes a mushroom and grows rapidly, evoking a transformation as she outgrows the White Rabbit’s cottage. The frame of the pavilion is made of timber, while the doors and windows were salvaged from local homes in New York.

The roof and walls are arranged in perforated patterns, allowing visitors to catch glimpses of the surrounding gardens.

This installation, engineered by Arup, is on display until 27 October 2024. At the end of the display, the pavilion will be dismantled. The mycelium bricks will be composted, and the timber will be reused.

Photos: Marlon Co for NYBG