ACAW 2024 Team Innovations in High-Performance Terra Cotta Façades

The ACAW 2024 teams have finalized their designs after a three-month design process. Throughout this process, teams have analyzed their proposals and how to fabricate their concepts in terra cotta, resulting in some changes and shifts in focus. These adjustments reflect the teams’ dedication to refining their ideas, ensuring they align closely with their design intent and the material’s performance capabilities, while bringing out the best qualities of terra cotta.

During the design phase, each team collaborated closely with ACAW Organizers to understand and integrate the material properties of architectural terra cotta. John Krouse and Andrew Pries of Boston Valley Terra Cotta, along with consultants Omar Khan (Professor and Head, School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University) and Mic Patterson (Ambassador of Innovation and Collaboration at Façade Tectonics Institute), guided the teams on how to work with terra cotta for the fabrication and manufacture of large-scale assemblies. Andy Brayman (Glaze Texture Specialist, Ceramic Artist at The Matter Factory) assisted with achieving their desired aesthetics through glaze. ACAW 2024 promises to fuel dynamic discussion in a collaborative environment, as we explore and solve complex façade systems.

 

 

 

ACAW 2024 Team Briefs

Arup

Arup proposes a diverse team from North America and the UK, skilled in architecture, engineering, and ecology, to address the climate crisis by focusing on circular economy, carbon reduction, and efficient production in façade design. They aim to promote terra cotta as a cost-effective alternative to metal cladding, exploring innovative systems that reduce the need for extensive metalwork while maintaining structural integrity and thermal efficiency. Their brief focuses on developing sustainable façade solutions for low- to medium-rise buildings.

Behnisch Architekten
with Transsolar, Knippers Helbig, and TriPyramid

Behnisch Architekten’s proposal aims to utilize terra cotta façades to mitigate urban heat island effect. Terra cotta’s properties will be harnessed for moisture management, solar heat deflection, and thermal mass storage. This approach seeks to enhance outdoor comfort amidst global climate change. Research will focus on terra cotta’s albedo properties, rainwater capture, and evaporative cooling. 3D shingling geometries will be explored for moisture retention and heat control. The project integrates insights from natural cooling mechanisms and historical techniques.

This interdisciplinary team includes climate and material expertise from Transsolar, façade engineering from Knippers Helbig, and metal fabrication consultation from TriPyramid. Hands-on empirical research will be complimented by advanced digital tools, such as Climate Studio and Bison.

Ennead Architects
with Werner Sobek NY

Working with Werner Sobek, Ennead Architects’ proposed design reimagines terra cotta’s role in energy-efficient building envelopes by integrating evaporative cooling terra cotta modules into a lightweight suspension system. This departure from conventional terra cotta systems reduces material and weight while maintaining functionality. The modular system adapts to various building geometries and offers versatility. Terra cotta’s properties make it ideal for passive cooling solutions like brise soleil and rainscreen.

make Architects
with Arup
Working with Arup, Make proposes to utilize terra cotta’s natural properties to harvest rainwater from urban façades, aiming to reduce stormwater flash flooding and promote green ecosystems. By embracing terra cotta’s natural properties, water absorption and the growth of mosses/algae are encouraged.

The design integrates bio-colonization to enhance opaque façade surfaces and improve urban greenery. Unlike traditional terra cotta designs focused on aesthetics, this design will prioritize water absorption and natural growth. Manufacturing-wise, the design is adaptable to weather conditions and scalable. Using extruded terra cotta and post-processing, a pattern with only four shapes will be customizable for various climates.

Overall, the approach showcases how design can accelerate the potential of terracotta cladding to be an engineered bioreceptive substrate, as an alternative to green living wall systems with zero maintenance.

Pelli Clarke & Partners
with Selux and OneLux

Pelli Clarke & Partners proposes the “Modular Bench II” for ACAW 2024, building on their previous work, the “Free Mod TC Bench” developed during ACAW 2022. This bench addresses the growing demand for durable outdoor/urban furniture, enhancing architectural designs for indoor/outdoor spaces. The design features slip cast methods for self-supporting terra cotta fabrication, with varied modules and shapes, a modular fastening system, integrated lighting, power, and planting. The bench surface will be glazed in warm, lustered bronze for a playful and durable aesthetic. Future plans will explore extrusion and ram-press methods for production, along with integrating sound and radiant heating/cooling systems.

Superkül

Superkül seeks to introduce dynamic, sculptural elements to façade design using advanced 4-axis wire cutting technology. Precision-cut terra cotta elements will create nature-inspired patterns that interact with sunlight, enhancing aesthetic appeal throughout the day. By blending traditional materials with contemporary technology, Superkül aims to invigorate Toronto’s urban landscape and set a new standard for façade design, integrating it into the city’s architectural identity.

Touzet Studio
with Thornton Tomasetti and Cadence Landscape Architects

Touzet Studio seeks to promote terra cotta as a durable and sustainable cladding material in South Florida, addressing issues like climate resilience, carbon footprint, and durability. Collaborating with Thornton Tomasetti and Cadence Landscape Architects, they are designing a versatile terra cotta façade system for a multifamily development along the Miami River. Inspired by the river’s rapids, the façade will incorporate colors and shapes reminiscent of water. The terra cotta elements not only serve as a rainscreen, but also integrate with the building’s infrastructure to manage stormwater.

United Network Studio
with Walter P Moore

Working with Walter P Moore, UNStudio proposes to innovate the use of terra cotta as a façade material to reduce both embodied and operational carbon. The team plans to build upon their experience with the cladding system developed for the Wasl Tower in the UAE. Their research focuses on optimizing terra cotta’s shading to minimize heat gain on adjacent glazed surfaces; adapting technologies like their patented The Coolest White paint into ceramic glazes, to enhance solar reflectance and potentially capture carbon dioxide; and minimizing aluminum use in cladding to reduce embodied carbon.

Also attending ACAW 2024 are academic teams from:

• Carnegie Mellon University – School of Architecture
• University at Buffalo – School of Architecture and Planning
• University of Michigan – Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
• Dalhousie University – School of Architecture & NSCAD University
• University of Kansas – School of Architecture and Design
• University of Michigan – Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
• Tulane University – School of Architecture

 

 

Boston Valley Terra Cotta is excited to host this unique opportunity for knowledge-sharing and exploration of how the variable materiality of terra cotta can inform and enhance a building’s performance.

ACAW 2024 will culminate with a week-long event in August as teams prepare to present their prototypes. We anticipate dynamic discussions and groundbreaking solutions to emerge from this collaborative exploration of terra cotta’s potential within high-performance facade systems.

Teams will present their findings at the public ACAW 2024 Symposium in Buffalo, NY on Thursday, August 15th. ACAW is hosted by Boston Valley Terra Cotta and the University at Buffalo. Save the date for a unique opportunity to view and critique the results of this year’s 10-month workshop!

For further details and updates on the workshop, please visit the ACAW website.

Photo credit: Dan Cappellazzo