Rotterdam-based Studio RAP has created Blue Voyage, two large-scale 3D printed ceramic walls for the entrance of the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Placed on either side of the lobby, the walls form a sculptural gateway that combines advanced fabrication with a poetic interpretation of the sea.

Waves of Innovation

Inspired by the nearby Gulf, the design captures the gentle motion of waves. Up close, the tiles reveal intricate lines and ridges that shift with the light throughout the day. Special corner pieces wrap the pattern seamlessly around the edges, adding a smooth sculptural quality.

Each wall stands six metres high and nine metres wide. In total, Studio RAP designed and printed about 900 unique ceramic tiles, all produced in-house at the studio’s facility in Rotterdam. This local production gave the team full control over form, texture, and material quality. As a result, every tile fits perfectly within the larger composition.

Digital Craftsmanship and Material Innovation

Blue Voyage is among the largest 3D printed ceramic installations in the world. The project reflects Studio RAP’s mission to unite digital design and traditional craftsmanship. Moreover, it demonstrates how additive manufacturing can reduce material waste and enhance precision.

The tiles were fired and glazed in collaboration with Royal Tichelaar, a Dutch ceramics company known for centuries of expertise. Together, they created a durable and expressive surface that shows how ceramics can perform in contemporary architecture and interior spaces.

Redefining Material Expression

Through Blue Voyage, Studio RAP explores how 3D printed ceramics can introduce new possibilities for sustainability, performance, and design freedom. The project highlights the potential of computational design to generate tailor-made, context-driven materials that bridge art, technology, and architecture.

For architects and designers, Blue Voyage demonstrates the growing role of parametric design and local digital fabrication in shaping expressive, circular materials for the built
environment.

Source: Studio RAP via V2com
Photos: Riccardo De Vecchi / Studio RAP