studio RAP 3D prints ceramic tiles and red bricks for amsterdam boutique facade

3D PRINTED GLAZED CERAMICS REFERENCE KNITTED GARMENTS

studio RAP has designed the facade of an eye-catching boutique in amsterdam’s luxurious shopping street, PC hooftstraat. currently under construction, the facade is composed of 3D printed ceramic tiles and red bricks, whose form references the craft of knitting garments. the design replicates the silhouette of the original facade, continuing the characteristic tripartite of the street and maintaining the overall character of the site (another project that reinterprets the historical building silhouette with unexpected materials on the same street is the crystal houses by MVRDV).

‘the design aims to inspire people around the world with a contemporary expression of digital craftsmanship, reinterpreting historical classics in new and exciting ways,’ notes the dutch architectural design company. ‘the facade also refers to the collection of the nearby rijksmuseum, where a large collection of ceramics from all over the world is stored.’

visuals by virginlemon, photography by studio RAP

STUDIO RAP REINTERPRETS HISTORICAL DUTCH ARCHITECTURE

by fusing the advanced methods of ceramic 3D printing, algorithmic design and artisanal glazing, studio RAP has come up with a facade that stands out amongst the surrounding buildings. the design reinterprets the decorative qualities and design vocabulary of glazed ceramics – a common material found throughout the historical city of amsterdam. at street level, the facade’s four and a half meter high plinth consists of three columns and an architrave, while the shopping window is pushed back, creating a deep reveal. this part is composed of large 3D printed ceramic tiles of approximately 40 x 20 cm, glazed in pearl white, with a subtle shade of yellow. the ornamented tiles start out plain at ground level and become more expressive higher up.

on the higher floors, the facade is clad in 3D printed bricks that have been glazed in three different shades of red. the bricks are composed alongside the original masonry cross bond and have abstract ornamentation. ‘these bricks are glued into laser-cut stainless steel cassettes, referring to the original flushes,’ explains the studio. ‘the ornamentation of the bricks is most expressive at the bottom of this part of the facade.’ the highly differentiated and algorithmically designed details will be realized by using studio RAP’s large scale 3D printing technology, produced in-house. the facade is expected to be realized in the summer of 2022.

the design replicates the silhouette of the original facade