Lustrous wrappings: Complex color and collaborative practices in the contemporary ceramic facade

Abstract

Glazed ceramic cladding is a material with a very long history of use in the built environment, whether as roof tiles, wall tiles, or more recently, as part of a rainscreen cladding system. A key factor in the resurgence of interest in ceramic as a cladding material—in addition to its inherent qualities of sustainability, malleability, durability, and fire resistance—is as a means of incorporating color into the facade. Although polychromatic facades are commonly achieved using tessellation of a range of single-colored elements, this article will focus on complex layered and variegated color and texture within a single component. Historical glazes, such as the blue-red of Chinese Jun ware pottery from the 12th century CE were produced through carefully controlled reduction kiln processes, yet retained an element of uncertainty in the resultant patterns and remain an inspiration for contemporary ceramic artists. Drawing on historical research, literature review and interviews with ceramic artists and industrial manufacturers, six case studies from the United Kingdom and China are discussed that show collaborative processes at different scales of operation. These combine unique artisan and artistic glazes, with standardized, rigorously tested, and internationally manufactured products. These “fusion glazes” refer to historic hand-made practices to bring an element of unpredictability, and a layer of complexity in terms of color, texture and luster.