Pioneering projects in the historic city of Delft

New Delft Blue is a pioneering project in the historic Dutch city Delft, designed and 3D printed by Studio RAP. By fusing 3D clay printing, computational design, and artisanal glazing, New Delft Blue hopes to unfold a new architectural potential of ceramic ornamentation in the 21st century.

New Delft Blue - Studio RAP
Photo credit: Riccardo De Vecchi

The Design

The lush communal courtyard of the PoortMeesters residential building block, which is part of the large-scale urban redevelopment Nieuw Delft, is framed by two large entry gates. The gates, roughly four metres wide, eight metres high, and twelve metres deep, cover a large public staircase. The New Delft Blue gates take their inspiration from traditional Delft Blue porcelain plates. The design vocabulary of these plates has changed radically over the centuries, from copying Chinese and Japanese Oriental designs, to making contemporary Dutch designs.

The Innovation

The approximately 3000 unique ceramic tiles that cover the two gates are 3D printed, allowing for the creation of contemporary ceramics that are both rich and unique. Using an algorithmic approach to 3D pattern design, certain manufacturing constraints—maximum overhang, width, height and depth, shrinkage, and internal support structure—were taken into account when the geometry of the tiles was generated. The deep blue colour reflects the connection to Delft Blue porcelain and the surrounding canals, and it provides a pleasing contrast to the earth-toned brickwork of the building. Combining this all together, the project embodies the unique identity of Delft in a contemporary way, referring to its history with its algorithmically-designed, nature-inspired patterns in blue, and referring to Delft of today as the city of knowledge using cutting-edge design and 3D printing technology.

The approach of Studio RAP

Studio RAP aspires to reclaim the architect's significant role in the built environment's design and realisation process. They aspire to bring custom-made ornamentation back into architecture by combining cutting-edge digital design and fabrication technology.

New Delft Blue - Studio RAP
Photo credit: Riccardo De Vecchi

About Studio RAP

In the constantly evolving realm of architecture, Studio RAP, a team of architects based in Rotterdam, is reshaping the traditional role of an architect. They passionately blend architecture with entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and craftsmanship, reintroducing bespoke details to architectural designs. Their projects embody their vision, presenting a fresh architectural style that challenges conventions. Studio RAP's ultimate goal is to infuse our world with greater excitement and diversity through architectural innovation.