TIFFANY FAÇADE

Coral-inspired 3D-printed façade

The Tiffany & Co. store façade designed by MVRDV features a coral-inspired screen, 3D printed using recycled plastic thanks to the assistance of Amsterdam-based company Aectual and Milan-based engineers BUROMILAN. Using the patterns seen in Singapore’s coral reefs as a guide, the team designed a screen to cover the store’s façade with an organic, cell-like pattern.  3D printing experts developed a process to produce the 50-millimetre-thick screen using recycled plastic, including reclaimed and recycled fishing nets. By making use of this unusual source of recycled plastic, the design not only draws inspiration from the oceans, but also plays a part in protecting them. A particularly challenging task was to meet the stringent regulations for fire safety required in an airport, solved by adding a chemical to the mixture that is also manufactured using seawater.