Coral-like 3D-printed facade
The facade of the Tiffany & Co. store, designed by the architecture firm MVRDV, is clad in a coral-inspired screen that is 3D-printed from recycled plastic. The project was developed in collaboration with the Amsterdam-based company Aectual and the Milan-based engineers BUROMILAN.
Based on patterns from Singapore’s coral reefs, the team designed an organic, cell-like structure that covers the store’s facade. The screen is 50 millimetres thick and was produced using a specially developed 3D-printing process, in which the material includes recycled fishing nets and other recycled plastics.
By using this unconventional source of recycled plastic, the design not only draws its inspiration from the sea-it also helps to protect it by giving plastic waste a new life.
A particular challenge was meeting the strict fire-safety requirements that apply to buildings in an airport. This was addressed by adding a chemical additive to the material mix, which is also produced using seawater.
About the project
TIFFANY FACADE
Location
Venice Architecture Biennale, Italy
Number of employees
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Info
The facade of the Tiffany & Co. store, designed by the architecture firm MVRDV, is clad in a coral-inspired screen that is 3D-printed from recycled plastic. The project was developed in collaboration with the Amsterdam-based company Aectual and the Milan-based engineers BUROMILAN.
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