Tiffany Façade Stuttgart, Germany retail architecture images, German building design photos
Tiffany Façade in Stuttgart, Germany
14 December 2024
Architects: MVRDV
Location: Dorotheen Quartier, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, south west Germany
Photos by Gionata Xerra Studio
Tiffany Façade Stuttgart, Germany, by MVRDV
The Tiffany store façade in Stuttgart’s Dorotheen Quartier represents the latest in a series of innovative designs inspired by Tiffany & Co.’s legacy of material experimentation. MVRDV’s designers created a façade composed of hand-crafted ceramic elements shaped like diamonds, which are mounted seamlessly onto a glass storefront to give the impression of floating. These ceramic diamonds feature an iridescent finish, reminiscent of the Favrile Glass developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1894, adding a dynamic and luxurious touch to the design.
When conceptualizing the façade, MVRDV’s team drew upon Tiffany & Co.’s renowned craftsmanship and history, establishing a set of principles that encapsulate the brand’s essence. These principles emphasized material innovation, three-dimensionality, and the tactile nature of Tiffany jewellery, particularly the refined geometry of diamond cuts. These ideas informed every aspect of the Stuttgart store’s façade, leading to a design that is both intricate and visually captivating.
The façade consists of 2,829 ceramic diamonds, each individually cast and mounted to the storefront using bespoke steel fixings. These diamonds are attached to both sides of the glass, creating an immersive experience that surrounds visitors in a surreal atmosphere of floating jewels. The arrangement of the diamonds varies in density to balance transparency and opacity; for example, around display windows and at the building’s corner, the diamonds thin out, allowing clear views into and out of the store. This thoughtful placement not only enhances the aesthetic but also maximizes the functionality of the storefront.
Each diamond is made using a slip-casting method, a traditional ceramic technique that allows for precise shaping. The diamonds are then glazed in one of nine custom colors, forming a gradient that transitions from Tiffany’s iconic robin’s-egg blue to pristine white. This gradient captures the attention of passersby while harmonizing with the neutral tones of the surrounding Dorotheen Quartier. The diamonds’ iridescent finish further enhances their appeal, creating a soft, ever-changing visual effect influenced by the light, weather, and viewing angle.
The ceramic elements were manufactured by Koninklijke Tichelaar, a Dutch ceramics company with centuries of expertise in producing specialized glazes. Tichelaar collaborated closely with MVRDV to develop the unique iridescent glaze that gives the diamonds their luminous quality. By varying the mineral composition and glazing temperatures across the surface of each diamond, the finish achieves a naturalistic sheen, echoing the qualities of Favrile glass. This reference to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s late 19th-century innovation ties the façade design to Tiffany’s storied past while demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to material design.
The Stuttgart store façade exemplifies the fusion of art, architecture, and material science. It transforms the shopping experience into an enchanting encounter with craftsmanship and design, embodying the timeless elegance and innovation that Tiffany & Co. represents. This thoughtful and striking addition to the Dorotheen Quartier revitalizes the concept of a storefront, ensuring that it stands out while seamlessly integrating into its surroundings.
Tiffany Façade Stuttgart in Germany – Information
Design: MVRDV – https://mvrdv.com/
Year: 2022–2024
Client: Tiffany & Co.
Size and Programme: 165 sq. m. retail façade
Partner: Fokke Moerel
Design Team: Aser Giménez Ortega, Elien Deceuninck, Monica Di Salvo, Simone Costa, Natalia Lipczuk, Basak Gunalp, Tatiana Gurduza
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Partners:
Ceramics: Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum
Contractor: SOMEC Mestieri Group
Lighting: METIS Lighting
Photography © Gionata Xerra Studio
Tiffany Façade Stuttgart, Germany information / images received 141224 from MVRDV
Location: Stuttgart, south west Germany, western Europe
Stuttgart Architecture
Stuttgart Architecture Designs – chronological list
Stuttgart Architecture Designs
Stuttgart Architecture Walking Tours
New Stuttgart Buildings
Contemporary Baden-Württemberg Building Designs – selection from e-architect:
Stuttgart Airport STRzero Terminal 4,
Architects: gmp
image courtesy of architects practice
STRzero Terminal 4, Stuttgart Airport
House for Film and Media
Design: Delugan Meissl Associated Architects
image courtesy of architects practice
Tiffany Façade Stuttgart
Natural Science Center II
Design: HENN
Natural Science Center II, University of Stuttgart
Dorotheen Quartier, Dorotheenstrasse
Architects: Behnisch Architekten
Dorotheen Quartier
Quartier Am Rotweg, Rot, north Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
Design: Delugan Meissl Associated Architects
Quartier Am Rotweg
Brunner Innovation Factory, Rheinau, southwestern Baden-Württemberg
Design: HENN, Architekten
Brunner Innovation Factory Building
Comments / photos for the Tiffany Façade Stuttgart, Germany design by MVRDV architects studio, The Netherlands, page welcome.