From Terracotta Design Studio / Rowan Muqdis
+17
- space:
98 m²
general:
2021
Pictures: Mohammed Ashkanani
Text description provided by the architects. The young potter behind From Mud felt the need for the healing and magical art of clay sculpting in the heart of Kuwait City. This is how the space became. Conveniently located on the first floor of a modern 1967 building in Kuwait City’s textile market, the zen workspace draws inspiration and texture from the beautiful terracotta craft and simplicity. The studio’s holistic approach is conveyed through clean lines and a soothing palette that reflects the compelling theory behind the studio’s own ethos.
The beginning of From Mud began with the observation of the movements that occur during construction with mud; From the movement of the porcelain itself to the fluid lines formed by the clay itself. One of the most attractive features is the light distribution that mimics the concrete facade of the building and casts uncomplicated shadows over the space, allowing privacy through fluted glass. As a continuation of the facade itself, the surround mantel combination of steel and maple wood creates a serene and functional environment that enhances the young potter’s mission of making clay art accessible to all.
Summary – Mud is a design studio with clay as a medium. The brief was to give structure to a space of discovery, research and creativity where all skill levels could come in to create a completed piece to take home. Requirements included storage and shelves that matched the ceramic maker’s daily routine, an oven room, a semi-private office, and a parlour.
challenge key – Optimize space to create maximum storage and efficiency.
The main products used – Hardwood and veneered maple wood from Malaysia that is handcrafted on and off site by local artisans. Adjustable shelving system in stainless steel, powder-coated metal, and fluted glass. Emphasis on light was so fundamental throughout the design phase that the importance of natural and adequate light during clay making was called into question. Interpreting the building’s facade in the rhythm of the surrounding shelves, you begin to see the interaction and juxtaposition of the facade’s shadows with the interior at different times of the day. Fluted glass was then introduced to create transparency and allow privacy when needed.
Client – Aisha Al-Seif, a ceramicist based in Kuwait, felt the need for a therapeutic space in the heart of Kuwait City. Its mission is to make design through clay accessible to all by teaching different techniques throughout history and throughout the world.
Project specifics – Kuwait’s textile market, widely known as “Blocks,” is experiencing a wave of renewal as these spaces are populated by creative initiatives such as From Mud.
In an urban sense, the building that From Mud calls home was the largest shopping center in the city. It defined a new and modern urban environment that functions as a covered market. Today, we see retailers staying at street level, however, as the upper floors have tired. Spaces like From Mud, are transforming the urban fabric and injecting youthful energy into drawing the public into somewhat neglected places. The facade of the building is protected from the harsh Kuwait sun by concrete slabs one can only imagine as a reflection of the canvases sold in the basement. This translated into adjustable shelves on the inside as an ode to the outside.
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