Ourcelium
“Ourcelium” is a community centre/research lab fostering the promising future of Mycelium research. Following the concept of Open Innovation and Citizen Science, the proposal fosters interaction between various user groups to create a hub for knowledge exchange and social activity.
Located along the River Mersey in Stockport, the scheme seamlessly assimilates the natural features of the site back into the urban context. With a lack of green spaces on this side of the river, the project aims to revitalize the area with green stay-zones at street level to provide occupant wellbeing, biodiversity, and promote a lively centre of activity.
Flexible public event spaces and workshop areas are enclosed within a cloud-like volume, levitating above the ground-level green space. Educational opportunities are accommodated in the re-used building on site, where the innovative applications of Mycelium products are exhibited.
The unique appearance of the facade mimics the complex underground networks of hyphae and acts as a visual beacon to the future redevelopment of Stockport. Ourcelium represents the importance in taking notice of the natural world whilst working towards a collaborative future.
