My project is called: “Fired up: Seductive Ceramics for Antwerp”. In it, I aim to show that craft has a role in contemporary architecture as it can connect architecture to place and to people. I have chosen to look at ceramics because of the rich history of ceramic making
in the city: Delft tiles originated in Antwerp, and then during the 1800s there was a huge industrial ceramics boom,started by the Boch family.Antwerp’s geographical positioning between the Scheldt and the Rupel rivers makes it an ideal centre for ceramics production because it sits on a band of clay rich soil. Clay is the basis of all ceramic products, and sour- ing locally has benefits for sustainability and giving regional distinction.
In my project, I intend to express the idea of ceramics in both the form and the programme. I’ve chosen a site in the Schipperskwartier.Walking through this area during our visit in September it felt like a ghost town, disconnected from the rest of the city despite its central location. Images and videos found online show recent open days held in the area trying
to encourage people to use the area more. I believe that creating a community hub based around the making of ceramics will help the area feel more like part of the wider city and connect people to each other.
I want to express the idea of ceramics in both the form and the programme of my build- ing.A light earth handcrafted wall, which houses the functional elements of the building gives orientation to the user. Brick is used to clad the exterior. Tiles and ceramic display are incorporated onto the facade of my building, with a ‘storage cabinet’ glazed wall expressing the function of the building.
