As part of his research work “Mycelium Composite Architecture”, Mirko Dutschke developed an innovative process in which mycelium, the root network of fungi, is combined with textiles to create a new, fully recyclable composite material that can absorb both compressive and tensile forces.

Elke Stillger, representative of the Heinz-Stillger-Foundation, referred in her speech to the first Heinz-Stillger-Prize awarded: Former DDU researcher Samim Mehdizadeh was awarded the first prize in 2017 for his research module on Rotomoulding. He continued to pursue the research he had started until completing his doctorate on RotoForming in September 2024 and was recently appointed Junior Professor for Digital Methods in Architectural Design at HTW Saar.

We congratulate Mirko and hope that the Heinz-Stillger-Prize can be more than just a prize for him as well – perhaps also a building block in his career!

Heinz-Stillger-Foundation: https://www.stillger-stiftung.de