THE WEAV-'ERY' | TRANSPORT OF CULTURE
The Weav-‘ery’ serves as an architectural intervention, intricately weaving Cleator Moor into the vibrant fabric of Cumbria and the UK. With a vision to mend disparities in socio-economic activities and revive local identity, this project emerges as a cultural transport hub. Embracing the time-honoured heritage of weaving, the project strives to preserve and elevate traditional arts for generations to come through immersive community engagement.
This cultural metamorphosis unfolds across three pivotal phases, crafting a sustainable circular economy at the heart of Cleator Moor. The hub becomes a nexus for distributing local artisanal goods through markets, cultivating skills in experientially engaging workshops, and showcasing global craftsmanship in an integrated exhibition centre. Collaboration between local craftsmen and STEM experts from Fashion, Textile, and Technology (FTT) Clusters catalyses creative development within heritage labs to realize technologically driven innovations that shape the future of the arts.
To realize these operations, buses are optimized as the primary mode of physical transport, seamlessly connecting people, goods, and intangible ideas across the area. This achievement would attract government funding, driven by Cleator Moor’s newfound social and commercial value, empowering local communities and celebrating their unique skills.
The project materializes into a multi-use commercial building centred around the core concept of willow-weaving, utilizing willow trees and reeds as a cohesive response to the site’s flooding issues from the River Ehen. Willow trees not only mitigate soil erosion and water runoff but also supply raw materials for the craft. This art form is woven into the building itself, with willow-woven facades created by the local community that provide atmospheric and shaded internal spaces. By blending technology, community engagement, and onsite sourcing, these facades continuously evolve, transforming the building into a dynamic showcase of the craft’s development and the resilience of local knowledge and skills.
