Emojis can be found in many places beyond one's computer or smartphone keyboard, including a mixed-use building by Attika Architeckten in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.
Grotesques, typically in the form of human or animal faces, have been incorporated into classical architectural designs throughout the ages. Now, Attika Architeckten is updating this decorative architectural element with some of the most well-known and used emoji characters in the world.
For the project, the architects started out using emoji templates from WhatsApp, which were transformed into 3D models that could be then cast in concrete. As architect Architect Changiz Tehrani says: "We were thinking, what can we use as an ornament so when you look at this building in 10 or 20 years you can say 'hey this is from that year!'"
Architectural Emoji Decorations
Attika Architeckten Added Unique Grotesques to a Building
Trend Themes
1. Emoji Decorations in Architecture - Architects are incorporating popular emoji characters into their buildings, adding a playful and modern twist to classical architectural designs.
2. Mixing Digital and Physical Elements in Design - The use of emoji templates from digital platforms like WhatsApp being transformed into physical 3D models and cast in concrete showcases the blending of digital and physical elements in design.
3. Creating Time Capsules Through Design - Architectural elements like emoji decorations can serve as time capsules, allowing future generations to identify and appreciate the design aesthetics of a specific era.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The architectural industry can explore incorporating emoji decorations as a unique and eye-catching element in their designs, appealing to a modern audience.
2. Construction Materials - The use of 3D models and casting in concrete for emoji decorations presents opportunities for the construction materials industry to offer innovative and durable materials for architectural applications.
3. Digital Design and Technology - The integration of digital templates and physical construction in emoji decorations highlights the potential for collaboration between digital design and technology industries in creating unique design elements.