Mycelium is an animation studio on the Chicago River line. This project began with research and from exploration through plaster casting. A majority of the research done for the project focused on the concept of the Social Democratic office model and how it leads to a healthy work environment. Social Democratic offices focus on the idea that every employee should have equal access to natural light, outdoor space, views, and other resources. The research led to discussions of differential growth and mushrooms and how they could inform the space and allow for equal access to resources. The concept of mushrooms was the main focus as the process of plaster exploration started. The final plaster exploration was informed by an abstracted version of witches butter mushrooms. After the first stage of the project was completed, the development of programming and form began.
The research and form studies lead to the concept of mycelium for the animation studio. While mushrooms grow in individual stalks they are all connected within the mycelium. Like mushroom stalks, as one goes up through the building, the programming becomes more individualized. The second and third floor house the animators individual office pods, resource library, sound lab, dark room, video room, ect. The individual animators' office pods transport the occupant into a unique reality. Placing the animators inside an other worldly experience creates an environment to inspire the animators to create new worlds, characters, and stories. Like mycelium, the ground floor of the building is rooted in collaboration. The ground floor houses a coffee shop that is also open to the public. It also houses a large entry and exhibition space, collaborative work space, and a small film viewing area. The exterior also fosters a collaborative environment by creating a public park and an exterior film viewing space for the community once Mycelium Animation Studio releases a film. The roofs are activated to become green roofs for the employees to grow food and create a self sustaining office space. The food grown on the roofs can also be shared with the community. Overall Mycelium aims to use organic forms inspired by mushrooms to create a healthy and creative work environment.
A detail section was created as part of the project. This is a detail taken from the coffee house located on the first floor. The drawing shows the structure of the space and the ceiling element. The ceiling was developed from the initial plaster casting and then a grasshopper script was created to mimic the effect of gravity and on the cast. The sweeping forms cover the entire ceiling with integrated led lighting between each.
The form for the animator’s office pod was inspired by forms developed during the first stages of the project. The plaster cast, shown on the left, was developed by sketching an abstracted version of witch's butter onto a piece of neoprene fabric. The fabric was then sewn to another piece of fabric creating air pockets to be filled with plaster. As the plaster cast took life it became clear that it could be used within the space to create a unique experience. The office pod is designed so that each artist has an individualized space to work in while having sightlines to others. Following the social democratic office model, each pod has a large window so that everyone has equal access to natural light and views. As the animator works, they are surrounded by blobs that have a life much like the characters and stories the animator may be creating.
