studio RAP completes 'ceramic house' with its rippling, 3D-printed facade in amsterdam

a futuristic house in historic amsterdam

Dutch architecture firm Studio RAP has completed its groundbreaking Ceramic House, situated on Amsterdam‘s iconic P.C. Hooftstraat. Employing its bespoke 3D printing technology, the studio has transformed the boutique facade to marry the neighborhood’s traditional brick architecture with cutting-edge technology. The project introduces carefully crafted details to create a glimmering, rippling surface of ceramic modules, bringing a new and exciting landmark to the historic P.C. Hooftstraat.

image © Riccardo De Vecchi | video © Oculus Film

Transformative Algorithmic Design by studio rap

The heart of the Ceramic House lies in Studio RAP’s innovative approach to algorithmic design. Using in-house digital design algorithms, the architects reinterpreted the decorative qualities and design vocabulary of glazed ceramics within the historical context of Amsterdam. The silhouette of the original facade is replicated, maintaining the street’s characteristic tripartite structure while integrating seamlessly with neighboring buildings. Inspired by textile artistry, the facade features intricate layers, mimicking elegant creases, inter-looping yarns, and stitch patterns. The organic, wave-like quality of the design evolves as viewers change their perspective, revealing new elements within the 3D-printed ceramic tiles.

street-level tiles are glazed in pearl white while higher floors show three red shades | image © Riccardo De Vecchi

Pioneering 3D-Printed Ceramic Tiles

Drawing inspiration from the globally renowned Rijksmuseum, Studio RAP has pushed the boundaries of architectural design by employing large-scale, in-house 3D printing technology. The studio’s commitment to excellence is evident in its distinctive digital fabrication process, developed over years of innovation. The team works with advanced robotic systems to craft highly differentiated and algorithmically designed ceramic details, giving life to the innovative facade. The result is a fusion of technology and design, creating a stunning and textural exterior.

Studio RAP merges tradition and innovation along Amsterdam’s P.C. Hooftstraat | image © Riccardo De Vecchi

At street level, the facade features large 3D-printed ceramic tiles, each measuring approximately 40×20 centimeters. These tiles, glazed in pearl white, offer an expressive experience at eye level. The transition to a flush alignment as the tiles meet the ground creates a harmonious and detailed aesthetic. Moving upward, the building facade showcases 3D-printed bricks in three distinct shades of red, echoing the color palette of the Rijksmuseum’s ceramic collection. These bricks, integrated with the original masonry cross bond, feature abstract ornamentation that gradually fades as they ascend. Encased in laser-cut stainless steel cassettes, a nod to the original flushes, the higher floors of the Ceramic House contribute to the overall visual narrative while paying homage to the architectural context.

the organic, wave-like facade changes dynamically as perspectives shift | image © Riccardo De Vecchi
the Ceramic House maintains the historic structure’s original silhouette | image © Riccardo De Vecchi

the design algorithmically reinterprets glazed ceramics with layers inspired by textiles | image © Riccardo De Vecchi

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fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

fabrication process | image © Studio RAP

facade detail | image © Studio RAP

elevation

facade detail, diagram

influence from textile craftsmanship

project info:

project title: Ceramic House
architecture: Studio RAP | @studio.rap
location: P.C. Hooftstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands
client: Warenar Real Estate
co-architect: Gietermans & Van Dijk
3D-ceramic-printing: Studio RAP
firing and glazing: Royal Tichelaar
main contractor: Wessels Zeist (VolkerWessels)

previous coverage: January 2022

completion: November 2023
photography: © Studio RAP / Riccardo De Vecchi | @riccardodevecchi.photo
film: © Oculus Film