In a tasteful exploration of both people and place, Kengo Kuma and Associates have completed UCCA Clay Museum, a 37,000-square-foot structure clad in 3,600 handmade tiles. “Rather than constructing a building based on industrial mass production, we intentionally focused on materials and details that convey the marks of the hand and warmth of craftsmanship,” Yutaka Terasaki, a partner at Kengo Kuma and Associates, recently told Dezeen.
Located in Yixing, China, the building’s silhouette is a subtle nod to the surrounding environment; the distinct peaks inspired by the nearby Shushan mountain. Meanwhile, the cladding pays homage to the city’s rich history as the “ceramic capital” of China and its notable pottery production. Each tile was handmade by local artisans and range in hue to reflect the way pottery changes colors as it is fired. “This ceramic panel façade became something that each person involved could say, ‘I made this.’ That is important for an art museum in a regional city like this,” Terasaki added. The firm also asked local children to carve designs onto some of the tiles in an effort to engage them in the city’s history.
