# Porcelain Public Courtyards The Sackler Courtyard is the First of Its Kind in the World By Joey Haar | Published 2017-07-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sackler-courtyard References: [archdaily](http://www.archdaily.com/874825/v-and-a-museum-al-a) The Sackler Courtyard, which is the exterior section of London's V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, is made entirely of porcelain. It's the first and only public courtyard in the world to have such a lush makeup (viz. entirely porcelain), giving attendees to the museum a unique experience that they wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. Serving as the connective tissue between several different museum halls and galleries, [AL_A](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-museum), the architects behind the project, knew that the Sackler Courtyard would need something substantial in order to stand out. As such, the firm built the courtyard with over 11,000 [handmade ceramic tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cottomilano) — an impressive feat that reflects the artisanship of the works that are housed within the various sectors of the museum. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Porcelain Architecture:** Exploration of building materials beyond traditional components provides an opportunity for architects to create one-of-a-kind designs and push the limits of construction possibilities. - **Unique Museum Experiences:** The creation of unusual features in museum design can attract visitors seeking novel and distinctive cultural experiences. - **Handmade Artisanship:** With the revival of traditional production methods, opportunities arise for businesses to capitalize on the growing demand for handmade products. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Engineering:** Architects can push the boundaries of conventional building materials and techniques to create visually stunning structures, drawing inspiration from the use of porcelain in the Sackler Courtyard. - **Museums and Cultural Institutions:** Cultural institutions can differentiate themselves by emphasizing unique designs and interactive exhibits that immerse visitors in novel ways. - **Handmade Ceramics and Tile Production:** Businesses in handmade ceramics and tile production can capitalize on the growing demand for artisanal goods by providing unique pieces that capture the artistry of traditional production methods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Neighborhood-Like Communal Courtyard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lavender-hill-courtyard.md) - [Tile-Cladded Chinese Clay Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ucca-clay-museum.md) - [Subterranean Courtyard Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hermit-space.md) - [Sloped Tea-Room Waiting Areas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sekiyuan.md) - [Porcelain-Clad Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automatica-project.md) - [Ceramic Vault Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muqarnas-pavilion.md) - [Blocky Courtyard Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-courtyards.md) - [Terracotta-Inspired Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grounded-exhibtion.md) - [Architectural Threshold Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/some-kind-of-practice.md)