Silence, Grown from Nature.
Sound-absorbing lighting and acoustic panels, biofabricated from mushroom mycelium and carbon-sequestering hemp.
Acoustic Performance, Naturally
Long before acoustical engineers, forests were absorbing sound, diffusing energy, and returning us to stillness. At MushLume, we've taken that lesson to heart — and into the built environment.
Our acoustic systems are grown, not manufactured. They perform. They don't pollute. And they bring the quiet beauty of the natural world into the spaces where people live, work, and gather.
The Science of Stillness
How Does Mycelium Absorb Sound?
Mycelium — the branching root structure of fungi — is nature's own acoustic material. Packed into every cubic inch of our biomaterial are over eight miles of thread-like filaments called hyphae. This extraordinarily dense network naturally intercepts and dissipates sound waves, absorbing rather than bouncing it back into a room.
The result is a material that is not only biodegradable and carbon-sequestering, but genuinely functional as an acoustic solution — with no foams, no resins, no off-gassing, and no synthetic materials of any kind.
NRC Performance Our mycelium biomaterial achieves an NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) of 0.6, measured across standard frequency ranges.
Material Comparison
Mycelium (MushLume) |
Conventional foam | Fiberglass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material origin | Grown, agricultural byproduct | Petroleum-based | Mineral / synthetic |
| Biodegradable | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Off-gassing / VOCs | None | Yes | Yes |
| NRC rating | 0.60 | 0.70 – 0.95 | 0.75 – 0.95 |
| End of life | Home compostable | Landfill | Landfill |
| Made in USA | ✓ Brooklyn, NY | Varies | Varies |
NRC = Noise Reduction Coefficient (0–1 scale). Higher values indicate greater sound absorption.
Three Functions, One Solution
Light. Art. Acoustics. All in one.
Our acoustic systems are available in three primary configurations — for spaces that want to do more with less.
Acoustic Lighting
Our dual-function acoustic lighting integrates illumination and sound absorption into a single grown form. No extra panels. No visible acoustic treatment. Just beautiful objects that quietly do the work.
Available as pendants and wall sconces, these fixtures can be arranged individually or clustered in configurations that increase both light output and acoustic performance as the installation grows.
Best for: Restaurants, hotels, hospitality lounges, open offices, wellness studios, residential great rooms.
Acoustic Panels
For spaces requiring targeted acoustic treatment — high-traffic corridors, transit environments, large open-plan areas — our non-toxic mycelium acoustic panels deliver NRC-rated performance in a form that is as visually compelling as it is functional.
Available in custom dimensions and mounting configurations. Panels can be specified as wall-mounted, ceiling-hung, or baffled arrays. Custom shapes and finishes are available for project work.
Best for: Commercial interiors, public infrastructure, transit hubs, institutional spaces, large-scale custom installations.
Acoustic Systems
For larger projects, we design full acoustic installation systems — curated arrangements of lighting and/or panels that are specified for the space, scaled to the acoustic goals, and detailed for installation. We work directly with architects, interior designers, and project teams from concept through delivery.
Recent work includes public infrastructure, hospitality, and cultural institutions.
Where Acoustic Systems Thrive
The Right Space Makes All the Difference
Acoustic systems designed for where people gather, work, and restore.
MushLume in the Wild
Calyco Interior Design & Shop
North Carolina
A custom cluster of varied mycelium shades transforms the entryway of Calyco's Clayton, NC showroom — absorbing sound, diffusing light, and announcing the space before a single word is spoken.
Stokely Apartments
Washington
A custom cluster of varied mycelium shades transforms the entryway of Calyco's Clayton, NC showroom — absorbing sound, diffusing light, and announcing the space before a single word is spoken.
Westley Hotel
Canada
A custom cluster of varied mycelium shades transforms the entryway of Calyco's Clayton, NC showroom — absorbing sound, diffusing light, and announcing the space before a single word is spoken.
Why MushLume Acoustic
We didn't set out to make another acoustic panel. We set out to build something that didn't exist yet — a single living material that lights a space, absorbs sound, and leaves no toxic trace behind. Three functions, one grown form. That's not an acoustic solution. That's a different way of thinking about what a room can do.
Grown, not manufactured — no plastics, no resins, no synthetic binders
Carbon-sequestering hemp substrate — sequesters carbon into the soil before it ever reaches your space
Biodegradable at end of life — home compostable, leaving no harmful trace
Healthy for people — non-toxic, no off-gassing, no VOCs, no indoor air quality concerns
Proven biomaterial — with over 15 years of R&D and 12 years of producing a commercialized product, this novel biomaterial has proven performance and longevity
Handcrafted in Brooklyn, NY — small-batch, studio-made, built for quality by a woman-owned business.
For Architects & Designers
We work directly with architects, interior designers, and project teams to bring sustainable acoustic systems to life. Whether you're in early schematic design or deep in construction documents, we're here to make the process easy.
Trade pricing available — Join the Trade Program
Custom dimensions, shapes, and finishes on request
Project consultation and design services available
MushLume Acoustic FAQ
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Mycelium is made up of billions of microscopic filaments called hyphae. Packed densely together — over eight miles of them per cubic inch — this network acts as a natural sound trap, intercepting and dissipating acoustic energy rather than reflecting it back into the room.
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Our mycelium biomaterial achieves an NRC of 0.6. NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) measures a material's ability to absorb sound on a scale of 0 (total reflection) to 1 (total absorption).
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Acoustic lighting integrates illumination and sound absorption into a single fixture — so the object does double duty in your space. Standalone acoustic panels are purely functional, specified for maximum acoustic coverage in spaces that don't need additional light sources, or where the acoustic demand calls for dedicated treatment.
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Yes. Custom dimensions, shapes, mounting configurations, and finishes are all available. We frequently work with project teams on bespoke installations. Reach out to start the conversation.
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Yes. Our systems are used in hospitality, workplace, wellness, and institutional environments. For high-demand commercial applications, we recommend a project consultation to discuss performance targets, installation requirements, and lead times.
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They go back to the Earth. Our mycelium biomaterial is home-compostable and will safely biodegrade without releasing toxins or pollutants into the environment.
Ready to Bring Nature's Quiet into Your Space?
Whether you're specifying a single fixture or designing a full acoustic system, we'd love to hear about your project.