Meet the World’s First Door Grown From Fungi, Not Cut From Wood

What if the door you walk through every day was grown from fungi? Danish mycelium company Rebound and architecture studio Det Levende Hus have partnered to create what they claim is the world’s first mass-produced interior door with a core cultivated from fungal mycelium. Currently in the prototype phase, the door is part of a broader collection of bio-based interior and sliding doors designed for modern living spaces, and it may quietly redefine what architectural materials can be.

The concept is straightforward but radical. Rebound cultivates the fast-growing root structure of fungi inside a mould, producing a rigid, lightweight panel with natural sound-absorbing qualities. That mycelium core is then enclosed within a timber frame built from reclaimed and surplus wood, including offcuts sourced from Danish flooring manufacturer Dinesen, meaning the door carries minimal material waste from start to finish.

Designer: Rebound & Det Levende Hus

Rebound co-founder Jon Strunge sees this as a direct challenge to the construction industry’s dependence on slow-growing hardwoods. “We wanted to demonstrate how regenerative, high-performance mycelium-based materials open opportunities for new, innovative, and scalable building components,” he said. The growing process takes roughly two weeks and is designed to scale industrially, making these doors a production-ready proposition rather than a one-off experiment.

What makes the design particularly noteworthy is its adaptability. Colour and surface texture can be altered during the growing process itself, removing the need for post-production finishing. The current prototype presents a smooth, silky surface, but the material can shift in tone and can also be finished with a layer of clay for a warmer, earthier aesthetic.

Structural performance was equally prioritised. A bio-based layer incorporated during the growing process stiffens the door and improves fire resistance, a bio-welding method that adds reinforcement without glue or additional manufacturing stages. The door was also designed to comply with current building standards for private homes, particularly around fire and moisture resistance, making it a credible candidate for real construction.

The first real-world application will be at Kaerhytten, a low-impact housing project in Ramloese, Denmark, designed by architect Jens Martin Suzuki-Højrup, scheduled for completion in 2026. The prototype also features a door handle by architect Bjarne Hammer for Danish brand Randi, the Moom handle cast from recycled seashells, adding a tactile detail that mirrors the door’s material ethos. Looking ahead, Rebound and Det Levende Hus are expanding into mycelium-based acoustic wall panels and ceilings. As Suzuki-Højrup put it, “It’s about how natural materials can transform our experience of space, visually, acoustically, even emotionally.”