The Smurfs have always been right: living in symbiosis with nature, in houses that seem to magically emerge from the ground, is the key to a happier and more sustainable existence. And if their mushrooms were just a figment of the imagination, something very similar is about to become reality in the Czech Republic: SAMOROST House, the first house in the world built entirely of mycelium. This extraordinary biological material, which constitutes the "root" of the fungus, is proving to have enormous potential as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials.
The project, developed by the financial company Buřinka and conceived by the young architect Tomasz Kloza, not only promises to revolutionize the concept of glamping, but could also represent a turning point in the way we think about sustainable architecture.
A mushroom suitable for glamping
SAMOROST House has a structure that looks like two enormous mushrooms emerging from the ground, each used for a specific function. One mushroom houses the kitchen and the living area, the other houses the bedroom. The supporting structure is made of wood, while the insulation and finishes are made of mycelium: a material that offers excellent thermal and acoustic performance, as well as being completely natural and biodegradable.
The design, inspired by the shape of the parasol mushroom, is divided into 14 identical segments which make the structure a sort of three-dimensional puzzle. The "scales" that cover the roof, also made of mycelium, recall the gills that characterize the cap of this mushroom. Large circular skylights, adjustable to follow the course of the sun, flood the internal spaces with natural light and offer a suggestive glimpse of the sky.
For those who don't know what glamping is: nothing new in Italy, it's a slightly more luxurious campsite. And in fact the word comes from the union of “camping” and “glamour”. Now you know.
Sustainable and designer interiors
The interiors of SAMOROST House combine functionality and design, with an eye for sustainability. The goal, the designers explain, was to use mycelium and other natural materials to make the interior space as practical as possible, while evoking a feeling of connection with nature, combined with luxury, and to fascinate visitors to the first look.
The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, gas hob and sink, all integrated into the worktop. There is no shortage of large storage spaces, shelves and wardrobes, as well as a dining and relaxation area. The bedroom, however, includes custom-designed storage compartments for devices such as smartphones, tablets and watches. Electricity for household appliances, lighting and device charging comes from a rechargeable battery, while electric heaters provide the necessary warmth on the coldest days.
Tests for a sustainable "mushroom".
SAMOROST House represents a pilot project that explores the potential of mycelium as a sustainable building material. Laboratory tests conducted in 2023 and early 2024 confirmed the excellent properties of this material, which can be used to insulate external walls, roofs and floors, as a non-load-bearing structure, to eliminate thermal bridges and as an acoustic insulator. And it can also be used to make furniture and furnishing accessories.
But the ambitions of this project go beyond simple glamping. As he points out Jakub Seifert, president of the MYMO association, “a building of this type will certainly find many more applications”. This mushroom house, which seems to have come out of a fairy tale, could represent a first step towards a future in which our homes not only protect and welcome us, but themselves become part of a larger ecosystem, helping to regenerate and support life. life around them.
Because, after all, the little blue grandfather with the red hat was right: “Nature is our home, and we are its guests. It's up to us to take care of it, with love and respect." Understand, my little smurfs?
