Ipsita Datta presented her research titled “Bio-Intelligent Stabilization: Mycelium-Based Soil Systems for Sustainable Construction” on March 20, 2025, at the 113th ACSA Annual Meeting Proceedings, Repair, in New Orleans. Conducted at the Computational Tectonics Lab at the University of Virginia under the supervision of Ehsan Baharlou, the work investigates how mycelium (Pleurotus ostreatus) can function as a biological stabilizer for acidic silt-loam soils. Through controlled incubation and a modified compaction–grouting method, mycelium cores were embedded within soil samples to study radial and penetrative growth. The resulting hyphal networks demonstrated the ability to bind soil particles, improve compressive strength, and support low-carbon stabilization using agricultural waste substrates. The research advances sustainable construction by reframing soil as a living, regenerative medium within Living Building Material–based foundation systems. This research was conducted as part of Computational Tectonics Lab under the supervision of Ehsan Baharlou.

The paper is published at ACSA proceedings. For more about the project, check Selected Project.