Subterranea Steyaertanum

mycelium lighting for an ecological bookstore

Subterranea Steyartanum are a series of lights developed for the TERRAIN bookstore fitout. They were exhibited in IM-PERMANENT at Melbourne Design Week 2023 and shortlisted as part of the 2023 IDEA Awards Object, Furniture & Lighting – Rising category.

Their name in part draws from Ganoderma Steyaertanum (Australian Reishi), the strain of mycelium collaborated with to grow these pieces. This laccate species that favours rainforest habitat is distinguishable by its large red-brown or black ovoid ellipsoid fruiting bodies of 50–500mm in diameter. We turn to the Earth's underground systems and the intelligence of these vast sophisticated networks of species conversing, for clues of our origin as portals to the deep past, and for guidance in illuminating our path ahead; socially, materially, and spiritually.

TERRAIN can be found at 101-103 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065