New Delft Blue

While 3D printing with ceramics is becoming more accessible, its application on an architectural scale is still relatively new. Studio RAP's New Delft Blue project marked their first use of this innovative material. The 3D printing process presents exciting opportunities, but it also comes with notable constraints. Rapid printing times can limit the level of detail in corners, which led to the introduction of crossing print paths to achieve more defined shapes. During firing, the glaze liquefies and flows downward from the object. To accentuate the topology of the tiles, they were fired upside-down, allowing the glaze to flow into the valleys of the prints and highlight their intricate forms. The glaze is applied evenly, naturally collecting in the recesses. Additionally, the mounting system is 3D printed directly onto the backs of the tiles.

Project name_     Delft Blue 3D ceramic printing 
Project by_       Studio RAP Rotterdam
Scope_            Proof of concept 
Parametric tools_ Grasshopper + Slicing tools 
Fabrication_      KUKA 6-axis robot 3d-ceramic-printer
Date_             December 2018
Location_         Studio RAP Rotterdam The Netherlands