Ecosystem
Seeds & Mycelium, our breathing network in a breathing home.
01 / OUR PHILOSOPHY
Emerging Seeds & Mycelium
Every forest begins with single seeds, yet its life is sustained by what grows beneath. Casa UMU emerged from a unique mix of human seeds; our co-founders, sprouting into an interconnected, living mycelium network of activities, deep experiences, and dedicated stewards. There is no hierarchy here. Together we feed the ground, nurture the fertile conditions from which a beautiful community unfolds.
Nature learned us; all elements, challenges and solutions are linked.
No stupid separation in SDG-numbers, but interconnected themes are the living vocabulary of our network. Each one connected to many others, each one inseparable from the whole.
The Core Connection
Hover or tap any node to explore how each element connects into the whole mycelial philosophy of Casa UMU.
02 / Our Founders
The Human Seeds
Like the rare event of a birth, the mixing of two distinct human seeds sparked something completely unexpected. Angel, a Nigerian writer rooted in language and psychology and Sven, a synesthetic Belgian entrepreneur with a background in design, fashion, and art. Their complementary, contrasting ways of seeing the world took root together, planting a shared soil that refuses to separate aesthetics from deep personal meaning.
Writer & Curator
Angel Amegbe
Creates at the intersection of psychology, identity, and language. She shapes warm environments for self-discovery and storytelling.
Impact Entrepreneur, Designer & Artist
Sven Bullaert
A synesthetic thinker connecting art, space, and sound. He translates deep structural design into sensory experiences. Ideas into products and brands.
"We are not only designing experiences. We are also designing conditions for something to happen that could not have been predicted."
Angel Amegbe & Sven Bullaert
03 / OUR Voices of Experience and STEWARDS
The Human Mycelium
Our 'Voices of Experience' and 'Stewards' are artists, makers, entrepreneurs and changemakers who have dedicated years to their craft. Not here to lecture, but to share what life has taught them. Together with the founders, this committed circle ensures that Casa UMU stays both creatively vibrant and financially sustainable. They are the guardians of our ground who also ensure that our core mission remains central. All together this human mycelium creates the umu-murmuration.
"Casa UMU is the only place I know where the conversation continues long after Yu left and the fire is out."
Architect & Co-founder of YUGENING | Author of The Story of YU | Loving both Biophilic design, my husband, daughter and dog
Véronique Orens
facilitatorstewardMinister of Yu
"I believe in this ecosystem for a more conscious future and look already forward to have a Casa UMU at home or at walking distance. "
Founder and CEO @ We Are Impact Collective | Driving Positive Impact Initiatives | Waic Explorers club
Astrid Leyssens
facilitatorstewardMinister of Global Impact
"What Casa UMU builds cannot be replicated. That's exactly why it needs to be protected."
Travel architect Wild About Earth - Filantroop - co-founder UMUNTU
Valerie Van de Peer
stewardfacilitatorMinister of Impact Tourism — Beveren
Process facilitator, trainer/lecturer on work and well-being for leaders, teams & organisations. Author of ‘De Intentionele Loopbaan’ & host of ‘Kelly & de Kapiteinen’.
Kelly Snoeck
facilitatorQueen intentional career
"I support Casa UMU because the world needs more places where depth is valued over speed."
Mixing my passions; impact investing, sustainable real estate, holistic health, food forest, being a present mother
Rosalie Declercq
facilitatorstewardMinister of Inner Development and Sustainable Real Estate — Bruges
Founder EXIE NV, creating healthy environments
Mathieu Hendrickx
facilitatorKing Hemp
An amazing soul and pranapreneur, passionate about breathwork and wellbeing
Hellen Tielemans
facilitatorQueen Breath
"Angel and Sven have created something incredibly rare: a sanctuary that genuinely thinks."
Zen Monk, Personal Growth Coach, Social Entrepreneur
Bart Weetjens
facilitatorstewardMinister of Zen — Nice
Lewis Bullaert
facilitatorKing Upcycle
Voices
"This ecosystem feels alive. Every person we met was genuinely building something meaningful."
Marc V. — Impact Investor
Join the Ecosystem
Co-Create & Steward
We grow this forest together. Whether you are a 'Voice of Experience' looking to co-author transformative programmes, or impact investor wishing to support our long-term sustainability as a 'Steward, we welcome you to reach out.
Creative practices we curate
Express your interest
Tell us how you'd like to build with us. We read every message and respond personally.
