Ceramics have been used to blend the old with the new in Yangqing, China. Settled amongst the traditional homes the Intertwine House takes the form of its neighbouring properties, matching them in pitch and size, but offering a bold, modern style. The Architects responsible for the design, Wonder Architects, are relatively new on the scene, being formed in 2017 by Zhu Qipeng, Wang Chong, and … Continue reading Clad Green in China
Nothing makes a statement quite like an uninterrupted expanse of pink and nothing creates an imposing industrial impression like coarse colourless concrete. Forgoing all convention, greatly honoured and notable architect Sir David Adjaye has combined these two defining features to create an incredible signature. A similar effect was previously achieved at the Ruby City art museum in San Antonio, Texas which took pre-cast red-tinged concrete … Continue reading Pink Concrete
After taking a look at their robot-constructed building-concept installation, we wanted to learn more about other curious projects that architects Gramazio Kohler have completed. Luckily, last year they took on another wholly ingenious venture in Switzerland. The company was comissioned by engineering firm Basler & Hofman to create and install a specially designed timber wall. The 8,500 blocks used in the project were specifically cut … Continue reading Acoustic Wall Assemblage
Combining ‘Kabanchik’, typically used in Soviet pre-fab apartment blocks, with modern fibre cement panels, this housing project attempts to breathe life and colour into the surrounding area. With traditionally soulless towerblocks in varying shades of grey and beige in mind, Italian architecture firm Iosa Ghini Associati designed these exteriors with a little more joy. They also took charge of the landscaping and communal areas, providing … Continue reading Multicolour Moscow
As the Tile of Spain Awards Award Ceremony approaches, it’s time to take a look at some of the most enticing designs across the Architecture category. In order to promote the use of Spanish ceramics, all entries must make significant use of them throughout their designs to be considered. The competition is open to designers both in Spain, and worldwide with the Architecture and Interior … Continue reading Tile of Spain Awards 2019
The Tan Zou Ma Li restaurant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan has a strong exterior attitude and carries it through element by element, creating a cohesive design and established atmosphere. Designed by Lo Keng-Fu of architecture firm Chain 10 the resulting space has a heavily industrial look, counteracted by an air of elegance. The twisted columns feed the narrative of urban chic, whilst echoing natural features. Bringing … Continue reading Tan Zou Ma Li
London based architectural design firm Urban Mesh have created an extension with a twist. Designed for the firm’s director – James Beazer – the project enabled Urban Mesh a little extra space for experimentation, and in this case it’s the humble brick receiving attention. Taking inspiration from the terraced houses of London, the firm transformed the classic brick from a simple veneer to a staggering … Continue reading Twisted Brick
An inspiring 3D printing project presents levels upon levels of creative solutions. The structure was designed and created by architecture and design professors Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello and revealed in May of last year. It went on to recieve the 2018 3D Pioneers Challenge, and it’s clear to see why. A classic wooden frame provides the basis for the variety of 3D printed … Continue reading Cabin of Creations
In a quest to find a new way of living, an entirely novel form of building was proposed by architecture firm Gramazio & Kohler. To demonstrate this method an installation was created at the FRAC Centre – a museum in Orleans, France that has a heavy focus on architecture, radical design, and historically ground-breaking construction. The installation showcased a hands free building approach that relied … Continue reading Flying Free-Form
Incredible, innovative non-profit architectural design research consulting group Terreform ONE are doing wonderful things. With one core message at their heart “Design Against Extinction”, their aim is simple – to create functional habitats that work for both humans and the animals we share the planet with. Recently the focus has been on the protection of the monarch butterfly, a species at risk due to pesticide … Continue reading Butterfly Focus
Symbiosis is taking the lead in urban renewal. In a section of Milan – Porta Romana – a business district is being formed to give the residents a new space, full of innovation with the bonds of company and community at its core. The buildings are designed with a focus on ecological sustainability, with the area sprawling across 100,000sq metres. For the new Fastweb Headquarters … Continue reading Significant Symbiosis
Lundhs As was founded in 1962 by Thor Lundh, after three generations of knowledge on quarrying were passed down. They specialise in larvikite, a natural stone found in the mountains of Larvik in Norway. Their process enables this unique material to be utilised in the home, bringing nature into the kitchen with this hardy, 100% natural stone. Now their headquarters in Larvik pays homage to … Continue reading Lundhs’ Large Larvikite
The architects at MVRDV have a way with façades that brings so much excitement, variety and innovation to the world. After previously covering their Crystal Houses and the magnificent M Cube, an experimental exterior in Kuala Lumpur is next to catch Tile Addict’s eye. In a similar vein to Flexstone by Solus, the surface is cracked and separated, making way for light to escape. The … Continue reading Kuala Lumpur Kintsugi
In an exhibition started earlier this month, French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel presents a mysterious set of sculptures. With his signature style and preference for materials that have more than one character, materials that reflect or reverse, these pieces are ambiguous and enticing. Othoniel’s artworks for the “Îles Singulières” exhibition at chateau la coste Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade (France) are comprised of watery blue and brushed metal-look silver … Continue reading Sculptures des Îles Singulières
Colourfully welcoming visitors to the arts district in Munich is the Museum Brandhorst – its façade varied and enticing, like a box of crayons. Designed by architecture firm Sauerbruch Hutton, the exterior was created as an indication of what lays behind it. Using around 36,000 TERRART®-Baguette ceramic rods in 23 custom colours the building itself becomes an abstract display. When seen from a distance the … Continue reading Brightly Barred Brandhorst
In an upmarket shopping street in Amsterdam you will find the most incredible building. Within a row of luxury brand shops on PC Hooftstraat sits the newly opened Hermès store. Originally completed in 2016 for Warenar Real Estate and housing Chanel, architects MVRDV titled their project Crystal Houses. The innovative design came about due to the city’s desire to have unique, distinctive, and memorable storefronts, … Continue reading Creating Crystal Houses
Like many architectural surface producers before them, Bencore started out making products for a different industry. Starting up 20 years ago in Carrara, Italy, they manufactured thin, lightweight panels for industrial use on truck beds and yachts. Taking these key elements and emphasising rigidity and transparency their signature Starlight was developed. Due to its versatile nature, enabling light play and the use of transparent components, … Continue reading Bountiful Bencore
Each year since 2000, outside the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington Gardens, a pavilion is erected by a selected architect. Usually highly experimental and visually exciting pavilions are created by those brimming with creativity and vision. This year it’s the work of Japanese architect Junya Ishigami that’s on show. The pavilion is a mass of slate- ragged slabs overlap one other forming a single roofed … Continue reading Slate Shapes Serpentine
Widely used in Catalonia, the bóveda (vault) is one of the most elegant structural supports in the design world. They appear to defy physics, confounding beholders with their layered brickwork and gentle curves (see the example of the Soriano-Manzanet family vault in Villareal, Spain). Taking inspiration from this architectural tradition, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma redesigned footwear store Camper. Using both the characteristic terracotta orange and … Continue reading Curved Catalan Camper
This is a truly exciting innovation promoted by Iris Ceramica Group. With Design Your Slabs, any image or design can be recreated on FIANDRE ceramic surfaces. This includes, and focuses on, large scale ceramic slabs – ideal for remarkable façades and show stealing interiors. Their whole system is tailor made with tile formats ranging from 750mm by 375mm to 3,000mm by 1,500mm, although the system … Continue reading Design Your Slabs
