Powerwall

Studio Pim Top

• Designers

Beverwijk, 2026 – The area around the Bazaar in Beverwijk is entering a new chapter. Long defined by technical infrastructure and large-scale commerce, it is set to develop into a lively new neighborhood. To meet the area's rapidly growing electricity demand, TenneT commissioned Powerhouse Company to design a new 150 kV switchstation beside the Bazaar. Responding to this changing context, Powerhouse Company approached the building as industrial heritage of the future: essential energy infrastructure with a strong architectural presence. Integrated into its brick facade is Powerwall by Studio RAP, one of the world’s largest robotically 3D-printed ceramic artworks.

photo_credit Studio Pim Top — Studio Pim Top

Power infrastructure with a public side
The wider redevelopment of the Bazaar area will introduce housing, workspaces, public space, and a renewed connection to the waterfront. As the switchstation will form a central part of this future neighborhood, each design element was carefully considered to soften its technical character, break down its scale, and create a more engaging and approachable presence for people passing by.

The building is organized into two complementary volumes: a taller brick volume containing the primary electrical installation and a lower metal volume housing the secondary functions. Deep brick piers give the facade rhythm and depth, while sculptural metal lamellas wrap the lower volume, visually connecting both parts into one coherent composition. Their gently undulating form casts playful patterns of shadow across the facade. Together with Studio RAP’s ceramic artwork, these elements turn the switchstation into a architectural focal point that invites curiosity.

From electromagnetic fields to ceramic relief
Set into the brick facade, Studio RAP’s Powerwall offers both a figurative and artistic expression of the switchstation’s purpose. Inspired by the invisible electromagnetic forces at work inside the building, the artwork translates their movement into a flowing relief that lends the facade a captivating presence. Powerwall’s scale and vivid appearance catch the eye of passersby from afar, while its intricate details reward a closer look.

Using computational design, Studio RAP created 322 unique 3D-printed tiles. Together, they form an 8-by-5-meter ceramic relief, making Powerwall one of the world’s largest robotically 3D-printed ceramic artworks. Each tile was produced in Studio RAP’s workshop using in-house robotic clay printing, resulting in subtle variations in form, texture, and depth. After firing, the tiles were finished with a translucent turquoise glaze that settles into the grooves and recessed areas, further enhancing the vibrancy of the relief as light shifts across its surface.

Infrastructure built to belong
As the energy transition moves forward, transformer stations and switchstations are becoming an integral part of the urban environment. They are not public buildings, but they do have a public presence. When these buildings are part of people’s daily lives, their design calls for a more considered architectural approach. With Switchstation Beverwijk, Powerhouse Company and Studio RAP show that essential infrastructure can remain secure and highly functional, while being a thoughtful addition to its surroundings. The result is a recognizable presence in Beverwijk - designed not only for today’s infrastructure, but also for tomorrow’s neighborhood.