Scheme at Whitechapel designed to resemble a neuron cell

Work on a science learning centre at Queen Mary University of London’s Whitechapel campus drawn up by the late Will Alsop has been completed.

Alsop came up with the idea, which is designed to resemble a neuron cell, while working at London practice All Design.

It includes 500 fibre optic ‘hairs’ called dendrites which are named after part of the neuron. The 23m long structure is made up of 13 steel sections and can fit 60 people at any one time.

It was put together by Littlehampton Welding working for main contractor Total Construction. Others to work on the £1.4m deal included structural engineer AKT II, cost consultant Turner & Townsend and employers agent Gardiner & Theobald.

The pod sits on three raised legs at the site, called Blizzard Mews, enabling the mews to still function as a public space.