Introduction :
The studio is particularly interested in combining traditional, low-manufacturing processes with hand-making approaches to design and particle new spatial concepts. Also creating physical 1:1 object.
Victorian architectural terracotta is a cladding system which managed to combine a hand craftsmanship with mass production. The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is an excellent example of this technique - it’s surface is covered with ornaments and sculptures based on the theme of natural history. We study the history and fabrication technique of this fascinating architectural material by designing and making 1:1 full scale cladding pieces by ourselves. We will explore this Victorian method of construction in the context of 21st Century, by transforming the details using various means available to us in the CSM’s workshops and working with the workshop staff and specialists.
Yatai is a typology of mobile architecture in Japan. It is a small stall, which opens up for serving food, and turning the public realm into a temporary outdoor restaurant. It is a container, carrying necessary cooking equipment. and seating. It is a minimum space, which closes into a compact box, neatly stored away for the next use.
We will build a Yatai collectively, using architectural terracotta as cladding. The main focus of the work is to design and make bespoke cladding pieces for specific parts of Yatai; roof, chimney, corners, wall panels, handles etc. We will need to think how the terracotta pieces are attached to the substrate. It is about designing the fixing as well as the cladding itself. We will also appropriate the clay material for the internal elements for cooking and eating, such as an oven, preparation surfaces and eating counters.
