Project Name: Tiffany & Co. Stuttgart Store

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Design Team: MVRDV Architecture Office

Number of Ceramic Elements: 2829 units

Completion Year: 2024

Photographer: Gionata Xerra Studio

Feature：

Project - Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has reimagined the retail facade with a mesmerizing ceramic diamond screen that transforms architectural surfaces into a dynamic, jewel-like canvas. The Stuttgart Tiffany & Co. store now boasts an extraordinary facade featuring 2,829 hand-crafted ceramic diamonds that seemingly float across the storefront, creating an ethereal architectural intervention that bridges brand identity and innovative design.

Inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany's legendary Favrile glass from the 1890s, the design team developed a meticulously conceived gradient that transitions from Tiffany's iconic robin's egg blue to pristine white. Each diamond is individually slip-cast and glazed using a specialized technique developed in collaboration with Koninklijke Tichelaar, the Netherlands' oldest ceramics manufacturer, resulting in an iridescent surface that shifts dramatically with changing light and viewing angles.

The facade's true ingenuity lies in its ability to simultaneously attract attention and integrate seamlessly with the surrounding Dorotheen Quartier's neutral architectural context. Custom steel fixings allow the ceramics to be mounted both externally and internally, creating a dreamlike environment where diamonds appear to hover weightlessly. Strategic variations in diamond density enable selective transparency, allowing glimpses into the store while maintaining an enchanting visual barrier.

MVRDV's founding partner Jacob van Rijs describes the design as an attempt to capture the "sense of wonder and enchantment" fundamental to Tiffany & Co.'s brand legacy. By translating the brand's material innovation and jewellery craftsmanship into architectural language, the design creates a stunning visual metaphor that elevates the retail experience from mere commercial space to a true architectural statement.

Design Team - MVRDV, established in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, and Nathalie de Vries, has grown into a globally influential architecture practice. The firm now operates with a dynamic team of over 300 professionals led by the founding partners alongside Frans de Witte, Fokke Moerel, Wenchian Shi, Jan Knikker, and Bertrand Schippan, with offices strategically located in Rotterdam, Shanghai, Paris, Berlin, and New York.

The practice is distinguished by its research-based design methodology, emphasizing early collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary experts. Their dedicated in-house Climate Team ensures sustainability integration across all projects, while MVRDV NEXT specializes in computational design and technological innovation. This comprehensive approach has resulted in groundbreaking projects ranging from mixed-use developments to cultural institutions and urban masterplans.

The firm's portfolio showcases innovative architectural solutions across various scales and typologies, including the world-renowned Markthal in Rotterdam, the nature-inspired Valley in Amsterdam, and the groundbreaking Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. Their work consistently demonstrates a commitment to sustainable urban development, social engagement, and technological advancement, earning numerous international awards and establishing MVRDV as a pioneer in contemporary architectural practice.