# Tile-Cladded Chinese Clay Museums Kengo Kuma and Associates Designs the UCCA Clay Museum By Amy Duong | Published 2024-11-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ucca-clay-museum References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2024/11/19/ucca-clay-museum-kengo-kuma-and-associates/) & [kkaa.co.jp](https://kkaa.co.jp/en/)  Japanese design firm [Kengo Kuma and Associates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audeum-museum) has completed the UCCA Clay Museum in China. The team defines the structure with a peaked form clad in [handmade ceramic tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jomoo). This is done on purpose to create the 'warmth of craftsmanship' and it is nestled in Yixing. The museum is part of a larger design project to redevelop the area which was once much more industrial. Partner at Kengo Kuma and Associates, Yutaka Terasaki shares with Dezeen, "We hoped to provide a space that would encourage visitors to rediscover and engage with the rich heritage of Yixing's pottery culture. Rather than constructing a building based on industrial mass production, we intentionally focused on materials and details that convey the marks of the hand and warmth of craftsmanship." Image Credit: Fangfang Tian ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 31% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Handcrafted Building Materials:** The use of handmade ceramic tiles highlights a reconnection with artisanal methods and craftsmanship in modern architecture. - **Heritage-inspired Architectural Design:** Drawing inspiration from local cultural heritage to design contemporary structures offers a unique blend of traditional and modern aesthetics. - **Cultural Heritage Tourism:** Creating spaces that celebrate and showcase local cultural practices can enhance tourism by offering enriching and educational visitor experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture and Design:** Innovative architectural practices that emphasize handmade and traditional materials are redefining modern construction aesthetics. - **Cultural Tourism:** Attractions that integrate cultural and historical elements can attract diverse tourist demographics seeking unique experiences. - **Ceramics and Pottery:** Reinvigorating interest in handmade ceramics aligns with the rising consumer appreciation for artisanal and locally sourced goods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Color-Shifting Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-quartet-songzhuang-z-museum.md) - [Garden-Topped Sunken Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cmp-inspiration.md) - [Architectural Pottery Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bat-trang.md) - [Old Mine Tunnel-Integrated Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atelier-xk.md) - [Perforated Granite-Detailed Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chengdu-natural-history-museum.md) - [Renovated Museum Exhibition Wings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kengo-kuma-2.md) - [Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunner-museum.md) - [Terracotta-Clad University Faculties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feiden-clegg-bradley.md) - [Sculptural Cultural Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aydc-public-art-centre.md)