RE-GROWTH: Bio-fabricated regenerative materials for sustainable, Aclimate-resilient and beautiful construction

White Research is pleased to be part of RE-GROWTH, a Horizon Europe project launched in September 2026 under the New European Bauhaus initiative.

RE-GROWTH develops a new generation of bio-fabricated construction materials combining technical performance, circularity, sustainability and aesthetics. Bringing together biotechnology, material science, engineering, digital design, the arts and participatory innovation, the project will develop and test three re-fabricated construction materials: mycelium-based composites for interior acoustic and thermal applications; non-structural bio-fabricated polymer materials, including fire-resistant coatings and aerated foams; and structural bio-fabricated polymer components for façades, floors and wall systems.

The project is built around four interconnected pillars: participatory co-creation and transdisciplinary design under New European Bauhaus principles; experimental development and validation of bio-fabricated materials; integrated sustainability, circularity and aesthetic assessment; and the feasibility of mass-scale production through advanced manufacturing approaches. Visionary, co-creative and testing workshops and four public demonstrations will connect material development with citizen engagement, user evaluation, design dialogue and market readiness.

Objectives and Vision:

RE-GROWTH aims to establish a scalable and socially accepted bio-fabrication ecosystem for the construction sector, supporting Europe’s transition towards more circular, climate-resilient, inclusive and beautiful built environments.

What Sets RE-GROWTH Apart:

RE-GROWTH integrates material innovation, advanced manufacturing and participatory design within a common transdisciplinary framework, addressing technical performance, sustainability, affordability, aesthetics and societal acceptance together.

How It Will Do It:

RE-GROWTH will:

• Develop and validate mycelium-based and bio-fabricated polymer materials for building applications.
• Combine technical testing with sustainability, circularity, safety and aesthetic assessment.
• Engage citizens, designers, industry and public authorities through participatory co-design and transdisciplinary collaboration.
• Explore advanced manufacturing and scale-up pathways for future industrialisation.

White Research’s Role in RE-GROWTH:

White Research will lead RE-GROWTH’s work on the integration of transdisciplinary actors, bringing together public authorities, owners, civil society, industry and research through a Quintuple Helix approach and Responsible Research and Innovation principles. This will include coordinating the project’s transdisciplinary network and convening the Transdisciplinary Board to support regulatory and market alignment with key EU policies across relevant sectors.

Later in the project, WR will also lead the Strategic Roadmap for large-scale manufacturing and affordability|, bringing together results on production feasibility, sustainability, affordability and standardisation to map the steps towards scale-up, industrial replication and market uptake.