On November 30, 2023, the founder of the Dutch innovation studio Studio Rap expressed his opinion on the combination of modern art and architecture. The company specializes in robotics and 3D printed architecture, using 3D printing technology and algorithmic design to create a "wavy" art façade made of tiles for a boutique in Amsterdam.
The luxury boutique located on the PC Hoofstraat shopping street has a façade that has been digitally redesigned with modern means, making it stand out from the rest of the historic shopping street. Studio Rap says the architectural design was inspired by the rich ceramics collection of the nearby Rijksmuseum Art Gallery, as well as Amsterdam's heritage of glazed ceramic art and architectural heritage.
Studio Rap uses 3D printed tiles for the façade.
Lucas Ter Hall, co-founder of Studio Rap, said: "We had the idea to design a façade that would be completely covered with 3D printed tiles to elevate the image of a high-end fashion house. Each tile is individually designed and 3D printed to echo the details and texture of the textile. ”
These 3D printed tiles mimic the details of textile crafts.
He adds: "We took inspiration from the art of knitwear, fused its intricate layers into one, such as elegant creases, intertwined yarns and stitching patterns, and translated them into the final façade design. The result is a unique architectural expression that seamlessly blends the historical significance of ceramics with the visual appeal of knit-style details. ”
The structure of the design reflects the scale of the surrounding environment.
Stand out in the midst of a historic high street. The façade is divided into three structural sections to continue the unique visual order of the street and resonate with the scale of the adjacent buildings.
"We paid particular attention to the connection between the new façade and the façade of the adjacent building on the right," says Ter Hall. By 3D scanning the original and adjacent facades, the new structure was precisely aligned. On the ground floor, the pottery company Royal Tichelaar paints the tiles pearlescent white with a hint of yellow; The upper layer, on the other hand, consists of 3D-printed "bricks" that are painted in three red glazes and held in place by laser-cut steel to form a box-like structure.
The 3D-printed "bricks" are placed inside a steel structure that is flush with neighboring buildings.
Ter Hall explains: "We developed glass in collaboration with Royal Tichelaar, one of the oldest companies in the Netherlands, and by combining modern technology with traditional expertise, we add interesting vitality to our work. ”
The tiles are configured to create a rippling rhythm that transforms the viewer's experience of opposites through different methods.
"The closer you get, the more details you can discover," Ter Hall emphasizes. From a distance, the façade blends in with the heritage of the street, but when you get closer, you'll see the pearl stitching pattern appear, and you'll see that every square millimeter is cleverly designed. We always aspire to design with a certain sense of hierarchy and timelessness. Every time you pass by, you make new discoveries. ”
The upper printed tiles are coated with three shades of red glaze.
For RAP Studio, the project exemplifies its mission to redefine the role of architect and continue to drive large-scale in-house manufacturing and advanced robotic processes. "This project challenges convention and showcases a novel architectural style that reflects our commitment to injecting more excitement and diversity into the world through innovative design," said Ter Hall. ”
The design of the tiles changes the appearance of the façade depending on the method.
Based in Rotterdam, Studio Rap focuses on exploring architecture with a focus on computational design and digital fabrication. Previously, the company had completed an arch consisting of 3,000 unique 3D-printed tiles and a robot-built building in the Netherlands.