The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision

The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, Hilversum

Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Glass design by Jaap Drupsteen

Jaap Drupsteen's glass design for The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum is a field of relief images of iconic Dutch television shows. Each panel has a raised color image, printed using a powder printing process especially designed for this facade. 

The glass powder printer was developed by TNO Industry, based in Eindhoven. The printer translates an image in cymk format into specific quantities of red, yellow, and blue glass powder. Once the powder printer prints the images onto a sheet of glass, it is heated at a specific temperature to mold the powder onto the glass. The heat applied is carefully controlled to keep the glass frame from deforming. 

Using a very simple technique, similar to stain glass design, Jaap Drupsteen creates a field of colors / images / information to envelope the building. 

As natural daylight hits the facade, it is filtered to form another layer of colors / images / information through reflection. The artificial light from within the building have the same effect outwardly, becoming an iconic part of Hilversum's skyline.