Anna Lewandowska is a doctoral student at the Poznań University of Technology, where her research centers on the use of biomaterials in architecture, with a particular focus on mycelium-based composites. As an early-career researcher, she combines a strong academic foundation with a passion for sustainable innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology and a Master of Science in Architecture from the Poznań University of Technology. Her work bridges technical precision with ecological awareness, aiming to redefine architectural practice through the integration of living, regenerative materials.
Since 2022, she has been serving as a part-time academic lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture of Poznań University of Technology, specifically within the Institute of Interior Architecture and Industrial Design. In this role, she mentors students and contributes to the development of forward-thinking design methodologies focused on sustainability.
Her research is deeply rooted in the exploration and application of mycelium-based composites (MBCs)—an innovative, eco-friendly building material derived from fungi. Anna has gained international recognition for her pioneering work in this field, including a collaborative research stay in Santiago, Chile, at the Universidad de Chile. There, she conducted studies at the Laboratory of Bio-based Materials, where she focused on knowledge exchange related to foreign mycelium species, cultivation techniques, and their use in architectural structures.
Anna’s dedication to bio-materials is further exemplified by her role as the organizer and keynote speaker at the International Symposium „Mycelium Metamorphosis,” where she presented her insights on the potential of MBCs in architecture and assessed their acceptance within the professional architectural community. Her academic work has been presented at numerous international scientific conferences, such as “Common Tomorrow” and “Architecture of Challenges – Materials for the Future,” where she co-created exhibitions showcasing everyday objects and architectural prototypes made from mycelium.
She is the recipient of the PHDBOOST research grant, which funded her project titled “The effect of biocoatings on the strength and moisture resistance of mycelium-based composites.” This research led to significant findings, including the effectiveness of beeswax coatings in improving the performance of mycelium composites, particularly those made from the Ganoderma Lucidum strain.
Anna has also contributed as an intern at the Warsaw University of Technology, supporting courses and a real-world project involving the construction of a park pavilion from mycelium-based materials, which was exhibited at a scientific conference.
Her scholarly contributions include co-authored publications like “Mycelium-Based Composites: Surveying Their Acceptance by Professional Architects” and her own “Analysis of Small Architectural Structures Built on the Basis of Mycelium-Based Composites.” Beyond academic circles, she is actively involved in science communication, educational workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from Europe and South America.
Anna Lewandowska’s work stands at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and design. Through her research, teaching, and public engagement, she continues to influence the future of environmentally responsible architecture and expand the boundaries of what natural materials can achieve in the built environment.
