MycoRun
A speculative
running shoe that grows with mycelium, adapts to the individual – and
radically reimagines what production can mean in a post-industrial
world.
Running through a new
reality.
Myco.Run is a critical design concept that challenges the conventions of
footwear production – ecologically, politically, and structurally. Set
in a future shaped by post-industrial, regenerative economies, it
explores how biointelligent materials and local fabrication can create
sustainable, adaptable products beyond global supply chains.
Design Process
Future Scenario – Rethinking from a new perspective
The project takes place in the year 2035 – a world where global supply chains have collapsed and local production is the norm. Degrowth, decentralization, and symbiotic systems define everyday life. This fictional future becomes the framework for radical product innovation.
Analysis & Goal Setting – Rethinking the shoe as a system
The goal was to design a running shoe that is locally producible, adaptable, and fully regenerative. Gait analysis became the central input for how the shoe would be formed and function in use.
Parametric Design & Fabrication Strategy
Based on user-specific movement data, a lattice sole structure was generated and 3D printed from biobased materials. Functional zones were defined by variations in density, directly responding to stress points and motion dynamics.
Mycelium Integration – Letting nature take over
The open structure is selectively inoculated with mycelium. As the hyphae grow into the lattice, they increase density, enhance cushioning, and extend the product’s lifespan. The living material becomes an active design partner, shaping the product’s form and behavior.
Circular Thinking & User Empowerment
Myco.Run redefines users as producers and maintainers. Shoes are created, repaired, and recycled locally without industrial infrastructure. After use, materials return to biological or technical cycles – transforming consumption into care.