Ceramics and Architecture

Explore the uses, functions, symbolism and aesthetics of ceramic in architecture.

Design Museum of Barcelona

Design Museum of Barcelona

Exhibition Brick by Brick: Ceramics Applied to Architecture014 (2016)Design Museum of Barcelona

IN CONSTRUCTION. Ceramics and architecture conceptually departs to the temporary exhibition Brick by Brick: Ceramics Applied to Architecture, which was shown at the Museu del Disseny de Barcelonam 16.09.2016 to 29.01.2017.

Curated by the architect Pedro Azara.

Exhibition Brick by Brick: Ceramics Applied to ArchitectureDesign Museum of Barcelona

Exhibition Brick by Brick: Ceramics Applied to Architecture (2016) by Museu del Disseny de BarcelonaDesign Museum of Barcelona

It is an exhibition devoted to the uses, functions, symbolism and aesthetics of this type of ceramic, to highlight the importance and the continuing use of ceramic in architecture, as well as focusing on both long-standing traditions and innovation in this field over the course of the millennia.

Sculpture (1986) by Magda Martí i CollDesign Museum of Barcelona

The projected home

Architecture models

Laberint B (2002) by Maria Bofill i FransíDesign Museum of Barcelona

Monumental architecture was not improvised. Builders, by order of priests or monarchs, produced plans, models and reports which were believed to be inspired by supernatural powers.

Sculpture (1983) by Enric Mestre i EstellésDesign Museum of Barcelona

Of the architecture of ancient cultures, we wouldn’t know what the buildings were like if some objects in tombs, similar to architecture models placed as offerings, hadn’t been preserved: these were miniature buildings.

Ebla (1989) by Madola (Maria Àngels Domingo LaplanaDesign Museum of Barcelona

Today, many ceramicists make works that evoke architectural models or...

Sculpture (1970) by Pere NogueraDesign Museum of Barcelona

...small-scale buildings offering a critical look at both the virtues and limitations of contemporary constructions, or perhaps...

Jug (1954) by Pablo PicassoDesign Museum of Barcelona

... they are more a nostalgic look back at the home we have lost.

Pavement (18th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

The constructed home

Clay, structural material. The constructive elements.

Pavement (15th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

Clay is a basic construction material; it is resistant and adaptable and has been employed by countless Mediterranean cultures since the Neolithic to nowadays.

Roof tile (17th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

Several structural elements of buildings are now based on ceramic.

Water conduit (14th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

From foundations to roofing, all building elements may be made in adobe or terracotta: drains, pipes, channelling...

Socarrat (15th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

...paving, walls and columns, tiles...

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...transpirable panels and layers and so on.

Tile (16th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

The
protected house

The magic of objects, the protective symbols.

Gargoyle-tile (14th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

In ancient times, buildings were living organisms and despite the solidity of the structures, the buildings were at the mercy of spirits, and protection from them could not fall to a mere collection of solid bricks.

Architectonic ornament (circa 1900) by Fàbrica de productes ceràmics Fills de Jaume Pujol i BausisDesign Museum of Barcelona

They had to be armed with charms against the evil eye.

Immaculada Concepció (1744) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

Resorting to magic was as fundamental as employing the appropriate technique and materials in the construction.

Skull (2006) by Bussoga Ceràmica. Josep Motas; Irina GrosuDesign Museum of Barcelona

Elements such as sculptures, acroteria, elaborate antefixes or gargoyles, which today seem merely decorative once had a magical, protective function.

Mosaic 15 (1988) by Ferran García SevillaDesign Museum of Barcelona

Roof tile (1875-1924) by Fàbrica de productes ceràmics Fills de Jaume Pujol i BausisDesign Museum of Barcelona

The lived house.

Ceramics serving the well-being. The beauty of enamels.

Rosari (Around 1912) by Rafael Masó i ValentíDesign Museum of Barcelona

Vitrified ceramics brings physical and mental comfort to those who live with them: it attracts the senses and the imagination.

Tile (16th Century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

It imbues interiors with sensory qualities that are pleasant to touch and see, and allows us to recreate brilliant worlds that are either visible or invisible, real or imaginary by means of painted or moulded panels that ensure the inhabitants feel a sense of well-being in their new paradise.

Le Baiser de Feu (1954) by Salvador DalíDesign Museum of Barcelona

These smooth, shiny surfaces composed panels that resembled windows framing paradisiacal scenes.

Alicatado (15th century) by UnknownDesign Museum of Barcelona

The geometric motifs and the orthogonal frames ordered the space and religious inscriptions, and heavenly figures protected the interior that became images of Eden.

Plaque (1977) by Joan MiróDesign Museum of Barcelona

In addition, the ambient, light and visual comfort depicted also evoked the lands of our origins or heaven.

Credits: Story

In construction. Ceramics and architecture conceptually departs to the temporary exhibition Brick by Brick: Ceramics Applied to Architecture, which was shown at the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona (Design Museum of Barcelona)from 16 September 2016 to 29 January 2017.

Curated by the architect Pedro Azara.

Credits: All media
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