005_relocalizing clay: digital ceramic futures_2024-09-30
“To establish new forms for our climate changed planet, a culture of carbon must be superseded by a culture of climate”
- Lizzie Yarina, Toward Climate Form, MIT Centre for Advanced Urbanism
Project Objectives
Ceramics and terra cotta products have long held a significant place in architecture and design, offering durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. From ancient pottery to modern architectural elements, ceramics have been integral in shaping our built environment. Rooted in hand-pressed bricks and artist-sculpted decoration, architectural ceramics have evolved to use sophisticated, automated, mass production methods. As a result, architectural ceramic products are either highly specific and costly (e.g. facades, decorative elements, specialty tiles), or generically produced for the mass market (e.g. wall and floor tiles, bricks).
Ceramics are also materially dependent on the earth from which they come and need large, capital-intensive facilities to process, extrude, glaze, and fire the end products. As a result, manufacturing factories have to be located at geographically and geophysically specific locations with production requiring proprietary moulds and extrusion devices. As an example, the majority of higher-end pool tiles installed in public swimming facilities are produced in a few large factories located in Germany and Italy then shipped around the world.
Like other industries 3D printing has the potential to challenge this status quo. The advent of digital ceramics fabrication presents new opportunities to re-localize production based on regionally available clay products, push the geometric boundaries of architectural ceramics and remove the capital intensive process required to explore and then manufacture new and unique designs.
This research proposal aims to explore the potential of digital fabrication in creating innovative ceramic products, specifically focusing on pool tiles, bricks, and terra cotta facades. By leveraging advanced fabrication techniques, we seek to explore the design and production processes, resulting in unique and sustainable ceramic solutions. By taking control of the production process and reducing the barrier to entry on design to production workflows, we can reclaim and re-localize architectural ceramic fabrication and create a new aesthetic.
Research Focus
· Pool Tiles: We will investigate the design and production of custom pool tiles using digital fabrication techniques. This includes exploring various materials, textures, and patterns to create aesthetically pleasing and functional tiles that enhance the visual appeal of swimming pools.
· Bricks: Our research will delve into the creation of digitally fabricated bricks with unique textures and patterns. By experimenting with different designs, we aim to produce bricks that not only serve as building envelope elements but also contribute to the overall aesthetic architecture.
· Terra Cotta Facades: We will examine the potential for digitally fabricated terra cotta facades in modern architecture. This involves exploring innovative designs and production methods to create facades that are both visually striking and environmentally sustainable.
Values Aligned
Our research aligns with several key values and commitments:
· Mindful Materials Commitment: We prioritize the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials in our fabrication processes.
· AIA 2030 Challenge (Low Carbon): Our project supports the goal of reducing carbon emissions through the use of low-carbon materials and efficient production techniques.
· Re-localization of Ceramic Fabrication: By focusing on local production, we aim to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies.
· Design Leadership: We embrace the freedom to create unconventional and innovative shapes, showcasing the capabilities of digital fabrication and educating the industry on what is possible.
Goals
· Innovative Designs: Our primary goal is to create unique and aesthetically pleasing ceramic products that push the boundaries of traditional design.
· Technical Insights: We aim to gain a deeper understanding of traditional and modern fabrication techniques in ceramics, contributing valuable knowledge to the studio and the field as a whole.
· Prototype Production: We will produce to-scale physical prototypes of our designs, demonstrating the feasibility and potential of our innovative approaches.
· Research and Production Partnerships:We seek to establish research partnerships with industry leaders and academic institutions to further our exploration and development of contemporary digitally fabricated ceramics.
Project Method
The study will occur in two parts: an initial research phase and a partnership phase.
Phase 1 - Research/Visit
Conduct digital meetings to determine the feasibility and value of site visits to potential industry partners as indicated below in the proposed itinerary. Visit selected studios and manufacturers to discuss the prototype designs, review traditional versus current trends and technologies in digital fabrication and ceramics.
· Dr. Russell Loveridge – Digital Fabrication Thought Leader (Managing Director at ETH Zurich NCCR Dfab)
· Studio RAP – Leading Digital Fabrication Designers/Producers (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
· MVRDV – Architecture of Digital Fabrication Studio, Ie designers of the Hermes Building in Amsterdam (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
· Peter Wasniowski – Experimental Digital Ceramics Artist (Krakow, Poland)
· OCH Ceramics – Digital Ceramics Designers (Toronto, ON)
· Shelby Elizabeth Doyle – Digital Fabrication Specialist and Associate Professor (Iowa State University College of Design, Iowa)
· Jonathan Anderson - Resident at the European Ceramic Workcentre (Associate Professor at TMU, Toronto ON)
· Keith Doyle and Helene Day Fraser – Co-Founders + Director of Materials Matter (Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Vancouver BC)
· San Fransisco Museum of Craft and Design - Data Clay Exhibit (San Fransisco CA)
· Manufacturers and Suppliers as noted below in Phase 2: Partnerships
Phase 2 - Partnerships
Building on the research phase, establish partnerships with leading ceramic, brick and tile manufacturers, digital fabrication companies, and an academic institution to further apply the research and prototyping. The intention is to have our partners execute most of the digital fabrication costs with a small financial contribution by the studio where required (e.g. buying materials or similar).
Research and Prototyping
Emily Carr Material Matters Lab (Vancouver BC) - Local research lab exploring new materials and techniques.
Sandhelden (Germany) - World‘s leading company for the production and post-processing of 3D-printed objects made of sand.
WASP (Italy) - International 3D print manufacturer and research.
Production Assistance
Interstyle Glass Tile Ltd (Port Coquitlam, BC)
Agrob Buchtal (Germany) - Tile manufacturer
DalTile (USA) - Tile manufacturer
Boston Valley Terra Cotta (Orchard Park, New York) - Leading manufacturer of custom architectural terra cotta.
Design: Based on research meetings with potential collaborator we will develop design concepts for earthen architectural products such as pool tiles, bricks, and/or terra cotta facades using computational design and 3D ceramic printing with a focus on unusual geometry and real-world applications such as a small or pool or spa facility.
Prototyping: With our collaborator, we will iteratively develop a prototype and then execute full-scale prints as proof of concept. The overall goal would be to create several physical assemblies showing a full-scale implementation of the prototype products.
Future Exploration (Opportunities for additional scope beyond Iris Prize proposal)
Research Funding – Pursue joint funding with Emily Carr University Materials Matter Laboratory to further the research. Seek partnerships with existing industry partners interested in materials research. Application of the research may be considered on a current or future project.
Market Potential - Identification of potential market applications for the developed products. Create a roundtable discussion for local designers, manufacturers, and suppliers about re-localizing ceramics.
Capitalization and Manufacturing – Develop a business plan and model.
“…given the pressure of the current global housing crisis and the accelerated automation of millions of jobs, it is clear that today the question of architecture is not first and foremost one of formal differentiation or a return to craft – digital or not. Rather, it concerns the potential of automation to lift architecture out of its niche into a qualitative cultural project that is accessible and reproducible on a massive scale.”
- Gilles Retsin, Digital Assemblies from Craft to Automation, 2019
Project Itinerary
Based on the outcomes of the aforementioned digital meetings, we propose the following studio and research/production facility visits:
Vancouver → Amsterdam
Day 1
Amsterdam
Visit Hermes Building (MVRDV)
Visit the Couch Building (MVRDV)
Bonus Building - Market Hall (MVRDV)
Train Amsterdam → Rotterdam
Day 2
Rotterdam
Visit Studio RAP
Visit MVRDV
Bonus Building – Rotterdam Central Station
Day 3
Train Rotterdam → Bonn
Bonn, Germany
Visit Agrob Buchtal – Specialty Pool Ceramics Factory
Bonus – Lent Park Aquatics and Skating Centre
Day 4
Train Bonn → Gersthofen
Gersthofen, Germany
Sandhelden – Quartz sand printing/manufacturer
Day 5
Train/Bus Gersthofen → Massa Lombardo
Massa Lombardo, Italy
WASP - Leading research and developer of large-scale 3D printing solutions
Massa Lombardo → Bologna → Vancouver
Project Budget
Research/Collaborator prototype cost contribution
e.g. materials, staff time, or similar = $2000
Flights
Vancouver - Amsterdam - $1200 x 2 pax = $2400
Bologna - Vancouver - $1200 x 2 pax = $2400
Train
$400 x 2 pax = $800
Accommodation/ Food / Misc
5 days at avg $400 per day = $2000
Total = $9600
Less is More → Less Is a Bore → Yes is More → Let’s Make More
Mies Van Der Rohe → Robert Venturi → Bjarke Ingels → ???
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