author: Yao van den Heerik
original source: RenJie Huang and HanYuan Tsao, architchen.com

Using Parametric design and 3D clay printing for functional ceramics

Architchen studio was founded in Taiwan at the end of 2015 by RenJie Huang and HanYuan Tsao. They are enthusiastic in new technologys and making. Their intention is to look for the esthetics of mathematical principle in computational scripting and the transformation into the real world by digital fabrication tools such 3d printing, CNC milling and robotics, etc.

Architchen mainly focuses on ceramic 3D printing, the possibilities of this discipline is still underrated when applied to real world solutions. As an emerging design studio, They apply the new technologies to clay, which has been charted for thousand years, to create a new form of tiles and decors impossible to make by hand or cast in a commercial viable way. The advantages of 3d printing also bring the possibility of customization giving their customers unique options to choose from.

Tiles

The past 20 years Computer aided design has gradually invaded into the realm of Architecture. Recently, scripting or “parametric” design, became the avant-guard of the architecture design style.

Wave patterns

scaling pattern

After both of RenJie and HanYuan finish their master they decided to push their best ideas into a production line while pioneering this type of digital fabrication in Taiwan. Because there is not much competition in this field as most research is still within the boundaries of schools and universities and Taiwan has one of the best processing industry in the world they could quickly use a variety of computational related hardware to integrate with the parametric design process.

Printing a tile

Final installation

With that huge potential in Taiwan they believe it would be the best place to create their designs to produce the best quality to compete with the rest of the world.

Production units

For the ceramics they studied different typologies of the traditional decoration in this field and combined it with the new technology to create their own methodology. Different from the production process in the past, they are now able to process in quantity while keeping the individual difference of each piece which cannot be done economically by moulding.

Prototype scale mockup

In 2017, Architchen completed the APUJAN concept store in Chongqing, China. This store was composed of over 1000 white aluminum pipes(ceiling) and 1300 light grey ceramics tiles(display island) .The whole concept icreates a pure, cave-like scenario which allows the clothes and accessories to stand out vividly.

APUJAN concept store also won the BEST 100 Architecture and Interior Design Awards in Taiwan ánd Exceptional Design for Modern Space 2017 in China .

ApuJan concept store


ApuJan concept store

Tiles detail


Installed tiles for display island


placing tiles into the display island

While Architchen uses Parametric modelling for tiles they also produce more traditional looking objects. However, the keen viewer can recognises the typical computational pattern in the below model.

Source and pictures: courtesy of architchen