3D printed ceramic shingles turn clay into a light-responsive facade skin

"CeraShingle is a system developed through robotic 3D printing and computational design. Each shingle is robotically printed in clay and designed as part of a larger modular system. Measuring approximately 400 by 130 millimeters and weighing just over one kilogram, the units are developed for durability, handling efficiency, and replacement within scalable facade assemblies."

"Installed with calibrated overlap, the shingles form a layered architectural surface that responds to changing daylight conditions. Ridges, perforations, glaze transitions, and geometric variations produce shifting effects of shadow, reflection, and texture across the facade. Rather than operating as a static cladding layer, the system introduces a surface condition that changes visually according to viewing angle and solar exposure."

"The project reconsiders ceramics as an active building envelope rather than a flat or repetitive surface treatment. Through parametric modeling, the design team controls geometry, curvature, perforation patterns, surface density, and wall thickness across each component while maintaining compatibility between modules. Robotic arms deposit clay layer by layer, generating micro-ridges, curved transitions, and textured surfaces directly through the printing process."

CeraShingle is a ceramic cladding system developed through robotic 3D printing and computational design. Each shingle is robotically printed in clay and treated as an active building envelope component within a modular facade assembly. Units measure about 400 by 130 millimeters and weigh just over one kilogram, supporting durability, efficient handling, and scalable replacement. Calibrated overlap forms a layered surface that responds to changing daylight conditions. Ridges, perforations, glaze transitions, and geometric variations generate shifting shadow, reflection, and texture across the facade. Parametric modeling controls geometry, curvature, perforation patterns, surface density, and wall thickness while keeping modules compatible. Robotic arms deposit clay layer by layer to produce micro-ridges, curved transitions, and textured surfaces directly during printing.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine