Sculptural Furniture Blending Illusion and Biomaterials: Studio TOOJ’s Duk x Reishi Series

During Milan Design Week 2025, design studio Studio TOOJ presented the Duk x Reishi collection, a series of sculptural furniture pieces developed in collaboration with biomaterials company MycoWorks. The collection integrates Reishi, a leather-like material made from mycelium, with solid wood structures shaped to mimic the appearance of draped fabric.

Form and Material Integration
The Duk collection, named after the Swedish word for “tablecloth,” includes a floating corner table, a side table, and a pedestal. Each piece is carved from wood and finished with Reishi, creating the illusion of flowing fabric in a solid, static form. The visual concept was based on the designers’ interest in optical ambiguity—objects that appear soft or textile-like but are made from rigid materials.

Studio TOOJ, founded by Ashley and Johan Wilén-Jong, began the series in late 2024 and expanded it for display during Milan Design Week in April 2025. According to the designers, the project investigates how form and material can alter perception, encouraging observers to question the nature of the object.

Properties of Reishi
Reishi, developed by MycoWorks, is a biomaterial grown from mycelium, the root system of fungi. It is positioned as a sustainable alternative to animal leather. The production process allows control over characteristics such as strength, thickness, and surface texture, offering consistency not typically found in natural hides.

MycoWorks states that Reishi enables designers to work with predictable and customisable material properties, potentially expanding creative possibilities. Unlike traditional leather, which comes with limitations in shape and surface variation, Reishi can be lab-grown to specific requirements.

Applications and Material Implications
For the Duk x Reishi series, the combination of sculpted wood and mycelium-based covering supports exploration into tactile and visual contrast. The matte, textured surface of Reishi contributes to the effect of soft drapery, despite the underlying solid structure. This pairing highlights the potential of biomaterials in contexts where both visual language and material sustainability are priorities.

The collection was exhibited at the Milan showroom of fragrance brand Le Labo from 6 to 11 April 2025. Also presented was the Mycelium Paravent, a folding screen made from Reishi by designer Fanny Perrier, further demonstrating the material’s versatility.

Relevance to Design Disciplines
The Duk x Reishi project may be of particular interest to product designers, interior designers, and furniture designers exploring biobased and circular materials. The project also offers insight for architects and exhibition designers considering sculptural forms and innovative surface treatments. Its use of lab-grown, animal-free material aligns with growing demand for sustainable design solutions across creative industries.

Source: Dezeen
Photos: Felix Speller