Investigation of fungal biofilms for building skin

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are innovative materials with living properties that offer functionalities beyond those of conventional materials. In our project “Bioinspired Living Skin for Architecture (ARCHISKIN)” we are developing a living fungal coating that is suitable for various architectural materials (wood, concrete, stone, brick, steel, plastic). The fungal coating not only offers an environmentally friendly alternative to current coatings, but also provides additional functions such as self-repair, UV protection, bioremediation, and antimicrobial properties. The fungus Aureobasidium pullulans was chosen as the ideal candidate because it can form a biofi lm, grow under extreme conditions, and has antimicrobial properties. Importantly, this fungus is non-pathogenic to humans, and has been isolated from various architectural surfaces, making it a promising solution for sustainable and functional architectural coatings.