Delft has a long history of producing blue and white porcelain wares, which goes back to the seventeenth-century. This project marries the past with the present by celebrating the city.
I think it's interesting that the architects chose a 1877 map. First of all, I'm not sure if the average viewer is aware that the map is old, however, if the layout of the map doesn't tip one off then perhaps the blue and white porcelain tiles will help the viewer think about Delft's rich ceramic past.
Secondly, we talked about city planning and navigation this week, specifically how a great city will have be "legible," and have "public images." Both of these characteristics relate to the city's inhabitants and their collective memory. Stationary monuments and art are important to the meaningfulness of a city since cities are sites where people create their own sense of place. I think that the architects are definitely thinking about this! Delft inhabitants are reminded of their past within the new architectural space and visitors to Delft are made witness to it.
I wonder if people will start to navigate around the building based off of this map, for example, the water closet is under Boven and so on.
There is much more to explore in this instillation, including, "a glazed skin designed to 'reflect the Dutch skies'" and a brand new contemporary building.
You can copy and paste the link below to check out the article I read. Enjoy!
https://cfileonline.org/architecture-mecanoos-train-station-city-hall-delft/
