Blog posts from the ARCH Design Lab

Elms Hall Revitalization, SUNY Buffalo State Classroom Building, Architectural Resources, Perkins and Will, Terra Cotta Panels, Exterior Envelope, Custom Profiles

Revitalizing Elms Hall: SUNY Buffalo State Classroom Building

To meet evolving needs and to continue to provide a space that fosters academic growth, Elms Hall is undergoing a significant transformation. Phase 1 construction commenced in March 2022, focusing on demolition, abatement, and construction of a new exterior envelope.
ACAW 2023, ACAWorkshop, Facade Prototype, Ceramic Assembly, Terra Cotta, HGA Architects

A Cost-Effective Masonry Solution: Terra Cotta Long-Format Brick

Working with Studio NYL, HGA decided to revisit their original Center for Arctic Studies (CAS) cladding concept for the 2023 ACAWorkshop, exploring custom extruded terra cotta baguettes.
ACAW 2023, ACAWorkshop, Facade Prototype, Ceramic Assembly, Terra Cotta, HGA Architects

Applications Open for the 2024 Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop

Boston Valley is excited to announce that team applications are now open for ACAW 2024. Celebrating its ninth year, this unique workshop invites professionals from the architectural industry to explore innovative building solutions and further their understanding of architectural terra cotta for large-scale assemblies.
ACAW 2023, ACAWorkshop, Facade Prototype, Ceramic Assembly, Terra Cotta, Pickard Chilton

That’s a Wrap! ACAW 2023 Overview

At ACAW 2023, professional teams explored new depths in the flexibility and functionality of terra cotta as a material for façade design. Several themes emerged from this year’s 10-month-long research workshop, including bioclimatic/biophilic design, transitional space, and structural design.

ACAW 2023: A Discussion with Co-coordinators Mic Patterson & Sanjeev Tankha

At the annual ACAWorkshop, architects, designers, and students collaborate to push the boundaries of architectural terra cotta. We sat down to talk with Mic Patterson and Sanjeev Tankha, two of the event organizers for ACAW 2023 and coordinators of the professional teams.
Moxon Street, Marylebone Square, London architecture, facade design, terra cotta facade, E8 Architecture, glazed terra cotta, Boston Valley Terra Cotta

Moxon Street Features a Rich Palette of Glazed Terra Cotta

Expected to be complete in Summer 2023, Moxon Street is an innovative take on the traditional mansion block. Glazed terra cotta takes center stage at the London development, seamlessly blending classical elegance with contemporary sophistication.
Kohn Pedersen Fox, ACAW 2019, Ceramic Assembly, TerraPreCast, Precast Terra Cotta, Facade Design

KPF Designs a Textural Precast Terra Cotta Assembly at ACAW 2019

For the 2019 ACAWorkshop, team Kohn Pedersen Fox developed a precast terra cotta spandrel that emulates Boston Valley's TerraPreCast® system, embedding terra cotta into concrete units.

Efficient In-Kind Replacement of Terra Cotta for Quality Restoration

New York City's Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) requires periodic inspection of a building's exterior façade. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission often insists that only terra cotta can replace itself due to its unique natural qualities, and advises against using alternative materials for in-kind replacement.
60 Curzon building, London architecture, PLP Architecture, green glaze, terra cotta facade, faience, terra cotta panels

60 Curzon Building with Green Faience Nearing Completion in London

60 Curzon is a high-end residential development currently under construction in Mayfair, London. Its stone façade steps back at key intervals to reveal dark green terra cotta panels, most prominent as vertical detailing around the front entryway and apartment balconies.
SWRI Trinity Award, SWRInstitute, Fulton County Courthouse, facade restoration, terra cotta restoration, custom glaze, WJE, Mark 1 Restoration

Fulton County Courthouse Receives SWRI Trinity Award for Collaborative Restoration

At the 2023 SWRI Winter Technical Meeting, the organization granted a Trinity Award to the Fulton County Courthouse restoration for outstanding collaborative partnership between members in the project team: manufacturer Boston Valley, associate WJE, and contractor Mark 1 Restoration.
120 Stockton, Gensler, unitized curtain wall, rainscreen, terra cotta rainscreen, facade design, geometric facade

120 Stockton redevelopment features a geometric terra cotta and glass rainscreen

The restoration project included a new unitized curtain wall that opens up the once windowless building and allows it to engage more with pedestrian traffic
Republic Plaza lobby repositioning, Denver, feature wall, terra cotta panels, custom profile, The Weitz Co

Republic Plaza Lobby Repositioning Wins ENR Award of Merit

Boston Valley custom fabricated and glazed terra cotta panels for the lobby’s interior feature wall, as part of renovations to modernize the space for tenants.
Hyatt Regency, Tysons Corner Center, TerraPreCast, precast concrete, precast terra cotta

Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner, Boston Valley featured by PCI Mid-Atlantic

PCI publishes a case study detailing one of Boston Valley's past projects, the Hyatt Regency hotel at Tysons Corner – the hotel's façade is a combination of glass and precast terra cotta cladding.
The new podium at the base of Willis Tower produces a stunning first impression with large terra cotta portals

Manufacturing Extruded TerraClad® for Chicago’s Willis Tower

Boston Valley Terra Cotta is working with Gensler in Chicago to manufacture Willis Tower's white terra cotta façade.

Watch the ACAW 2022 Opening Keynote, “Orange County Art Museum, From ACAW to Reality”

The 2022 ACAWorkshop kicked off on Monday, August 15th with a live-only opening keynote from Stan Su (Technical Director – RIOS) and Erik Verboon (Principal | Director of Enclosure Engineering – Walter P Moore).