Monumental Pissoir is a design proposal for public toilets for men in the Medina of Marrakech. The structure functioning as an inhabitable column or as a free standing object.

The proposal is a response to the Seven Towers of Seven Saints square in Marrakech. The square built in 2005 was since neglected – currently and predominantly used by locals as a public dump. Squatting, peeing and even glue-sniffing Morocans can be seen there at any time of day. The picture gallery below deomonstrates the square in its current state.

The ‘monumentality’ of the pissoir is inspired by Moroccan culture – colours, ceramics and vernacular living. The architecture of the pissoir is composed of handmade interlocking ceramic components. The pictured model / sculpture below is scale 1:5:

The ceramic components were hand made using a laser-cut mould and then fired in a self made raku kiln:

The interlocking components have a simple yet flexible geometry, which allows to create various interlocking patterns:

Eddie Blake, an architect and founding member of  Studio Weave, wrote about my work:

“Blazukas’ experiments with firing clay in a variety of his own self-built kilns are beautiful objects in their own right. His ceramics reflect such a deft touch, and an instinctive response to material.

The reason they are worth writing about is that they feed perfectly into a really well-developed design proposal for a ceramics complex in Marrakech. Blazukas obviously really grappled with the brief, and it dealt him a few heavy blows, but he followed it well and the results are beautiful. His drawings are only outshone by his ceramics.”

This article was also posted on Design Curial website, can be found by clicking here.

More about the ‘Monumental Pissoir’ that can be found in my Marrakech project portfolio here.

The typography of the sign as well as its aesthetic quality was designed using chance techniques. The letters are assembled out of small hand-pressed interconnecting clay components. Raku method of firing ceramics was used as a generator of chance in producing the unexpected aesthetic of glazes. The result of the experiment is typography with fascinating variety of colours and textures.

Thanks to Tim Waines and Piotr Garstecki for their huge contribution on this piece.

This is my final MArch Architecture project portfolio.

Design Studio 15, Westminster University, 2014.

The Ceramics Quarter project design is inspired by Moroccan arts & crafts, architect’s own explorations of chance through ceramic firing experiments and then directed by answers given by the I Ching.

The new neighbourhood in the medina of Marrakech will provide living and working spaces for local ceramics craftsmen and potters. Ceramic architecture components fired on the site will create an outstanding typology inviting tourists to the north east part of the medina. The proposal also responds to the current urban fabric of Marrakech medina, where poor and rich are often next door neighbours.

Continuing my experiments with various kilns, I built up a kiln in a downdraft concept and used propane to fire it. In theory it did not work very well, but in practice I managed to achieve an interesting result on one of the glazed sticks. Both ends of the stick were dipped in the same glaze, but due to exposure to different temperature inside the kiln – the glaze reacted differently achieving a transition of colours.

Shaws of Darwen, based in Lancashire, is a manufacturer and retailer of ceramic sinks, also specialising in design, manufacture and restoration of architectural terracotta. The majority of their architectural projects take place in the US, but they have also worked closely with a number of leading architectural practices in the UK. Some most recent projects include: Holburne Museum of Art in Bath, One Eagle Place, Picadilly (both Eric Parry Architects) or Fairytale Cottage in Essex by Grayson Perry and FAT.

I was very fortunate to be able to visit their factory in Darwen and observe closely the craftsmanship and traditional techniques they apply in production of bespoke architectural ceramics. The fascinating experience of the visit was captured through the photographs and I am very excited to be able to share those on my blog.

Wood fired downdraft kiln was only a quick experiment I did to see what temperature can be achieved. I did not fire any objects inside the kiln, because I did not have enough wood to keep the temperature at the maximum for at least a couple of hours.

Downdraft concept for the kiln is simple but effective. As the illustrations explain, the fire box is located at the bottom of the front, whilst the kiln space is above the fire box. The heat rises and travels down into the chimney providing a consistent heat inside the kiln.

The concept appeared to work great creating an extremely high draft on a calm sunny day and achieving up to 900C inside the kiln space.

A self made electric kiln experiment.

This experiment – research and explorations of clay firing techniques was done as part of my MArch Architecture second year architecture portfolio.

After making a couple of sawdust firings I used the same fire bricks to make an electric kiln heated by four 750W electric fire elements, which were inexpensively acquired from a spares shop. Due to limited amount of time available the firing was on for 6 hours and peaked at lower than expected 575 degrees celsius in the middle of the kiln, then left to cool overnight. Judging from the fired objects it can be assumed that the temperature closer to the sides of the kiln was much higher – possibility of +100-150 degrees, since each fire element was tested to reach up to 800 degres celsius. The performance of the kiln could be improved by better insulating the kiln.

The temperature rise was controlled by gradually switching on each of the fire elements.

Two pieces with low fire blue glaze started to gain rich blue colour, whilst a piece with red glaze (cone 04 glaze) did not react to the low heat of the kiln. Two of three pieces made from Scarva PF520 clay completely burst into pieces. The last piece was left unglazed and became a cone 022 bisque ware.

The risk assessment was done prior to constructing a kiln in order to ensure a successful operation of the kiln and safe environment.

Experiment of firing clay in sawdust.

This experiment – research and explorations of clay firing techniques was done as part of my MArch Architecture second year architecture portfolio.

I did two firings of my clay pieces in sawdust, which are shown in two separate picture galleries at the bottom of this post. Each firing lasted around 15-20 hours. The second firing was reaching around 500-600 degrees celsius. I did not have a pyrometer during my first firing leaving me unsure of the correct temperature during that firing.

It was my first attempt to fire clay in a self made kiln. The experiment took place in Worthing, England at the beginning of January 2014.

The kiln was built from 80 firebricks inside a pit. The weather conditions were at my disadvantage, hence the covering from rain can be seen in some of the photos.

Some clay objects were sprayed with salt, some burnished with a spoon to achieve a glossy surface, some pieces were covered with orange peel, leaves and other combustibles, some were fired inside a flower pot filled with combustibles, some were just put in sawdust without any special application.

I believe the best result was achieved during the second firing. The piece which was inside a flower pot filled with combustibles (orange peel, tea and some leaves) achieved a yellowish carbonization in the place where it was covered with orange peel.

After the two firings the kiln was dismantled in order to use the fire bricks for a second experiment – making an electric kiln powered by electric fire elements, which will be described on a separate post.

Firing No. 1

Firing No. 2

Here are some photos from my first go at throwing clay on a wheel in December 2013.

It proved to be a challenging process, but at the end of the day I think I had a nice set of hollow pieces.

The firing of these objects will be shown on the next post.