The Pupa: BioKnit at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Late Shows Published on: 14 May 2025 How can growth transform a building and how can mycelium and textiles weave a new identity in an empty space? Inviting reflection A new BioKnit structure named the Pupa, which has been created by experts from Â鶹´«Ã½, is heading to Â鶹´«Ã½’s . Their vision brings biotechnology to the building site, using the internal structure of the Coach House itself to scaffold the growth of a cocoon-like textile that encases living mycelium and natural fibres. The soft flexible mycelium and textile have transformed into robust arches joined by a canopy of billowing fabric. The Pupa is nurtured by the building, protected during the cycle of growth in a bespoke growth chamber suspended from steel beams. For this commission the BioKnit team from the, have been working with to develop an artistic response that not only enhances the visual impact of the installation but also invites reflection on how biotechnology can transform our built environment. Part of the Pupa. Photograph by Ben Bridgens An experiment “BioKnit Pupa is an experiment in growing as building, exploring a new organic curvature that emerges when soft textiles and mycelium composites are cultivated together and shaped by the existing structure of a site,” explains Dr Jane Scott, the BioKnit team lead. “Collaborating with Imogen Cloët has been fantastic she has really seen our work in a different way. I never thought of BioKnit as theatrical before – but the experience on Saturday night is going to be pretty magical.” The Pupa is composed of fungal mycelium, natural fibres and 3D knitting. It is the latest installation created by the . The HBBE is a collaborative research hub which aims to create built environments which are life-sustaining and sustained by life. It is joint partnership between Â鶹´«Ã½ and Northumbria Universities and was established in 2019 with an £8M grant from Research England. The Late Shows is an award-winning late-night free culture crawl in Â鶹´«Ã½. It attracts 20-30,000 visitors encouraging people to visit cultural venues that they may not have been to before. You can visit the Coach House, near Charlotte Square, Â鶹´«Ã½, NE1 4XF, for a unique BioKnit experience on Saturday 17th May 6pm-10.30pm. The Pupa is supported by as part of its ongoing mission to support local creativity, drive collaboration, and create opportunities for artists and creatives in central Â鶹´«Ã½. Share: Latest News Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Student leader drives misogyny law change A Â鶹´«Ã½ student leader has helped change the law after creating a petition to make misogyny a hate crime, which gathered over 114,000 signatures, prompting action in Parliament. published on: 12 June 2026 Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ see construction of new Castle Leazes The Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Castle Leazes. published on: 12 June 2026 Facts and figures
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