Blog posts from the ARCH Design Lab

The book cover of "Architectural Terra Cotta" by Donald Corner and John Rowell

Boston Valley featured in new “Architectural Terra Cotta” academic publication

Published in 2022 by Donald B. Corner and John Rowell, the book examines the evolution of the timeless material and prepares architects and builders to find new, creative uses for it in their work.

Eight teams will present architectural prototypes at ACAWorkshop 2022

The Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop returns for its seventh year, bringing more teams together at Boston Valley Terra Cotta to explore the possibilities of using terra cotta for large-scale assemblies.
The biophilic facade design created at ACAWorkshop 2021 consists of separate modules for bird, bee, and plant habitats.

Buro Happold and COOKFOX explore biophilic façades at ACAW 2021

The Architect's Newspaper recaps the collaboration, where the team reimagined exterior façades as much-needed habitat space for birds, bees, and plants in the urban environment.

Manufacturing custom TerraClad© panels for “Hudson’s Site” mega-development

The Architect’s Newspaper reported on the massive new mixed-use development that is currently underway in the middle of downtown Detroit, MI. Aptly named “Hudson’s Site” for the time being, the project stands on the site of the former Hudson’s flagship, part of the long-defunct department store chain.

John Krouse to present at Zak World of Façades in Toronto

John Krouse will explain how Boston Valley is changing the face of terra cotta with details on some of our past Canadian projects, including The Well – Toronto’s largest active construction site.
A closeup of the red terra cotta facade on the FDNY training facility in NYC, designed by Studio Gang

Dezeen Magazine Spotlight on the TerraClad® Panels of FDNY Rescue Company 2

The article discusses lead architect Studio Gang’s design intent for the function of the building, which is used by the firefighter team as a simulation and training facility for extreme rescue situations.
32 colossal columns at the 29th floor of the Helmsley Building were repaired to address cracking and structural corrosion

Boston Valley Terra Cotta Project Awarded at the 32nd Annual Lucy Moses Awards

Each year the Conservancy honors a number of building owners, developers, preservation architects, general contractors, façade engineers, installation specialists, and manufacturers related to the trade for outstanding work in preservation within NYC. Several Boston Valley Terra Cotta projects have been the recipient of such honors in the past.
Boston Valley TerraClad on the exterior facade of The Well development, Toronto

TerraClad® used in The Well, Toronto’s largest mixed-use development

By using sophisticated applications of terra cotta and brick, as well as glass and steel, The Well design will complement and preserve the industrial character of the historic King Street West neighborhood.

An in-depth look at how Boston Valley created the terra cotta for One Vanderbilt’s facade

The recently completed One Vanderbilt building has joined the distinguished silhouette of New York City’s skyline. The building was designed by KPF and the structure features a stunning terra cotta façade.

BOSTON VALLEY TERRA COTTA RECAPS FIFTH ANNUAL ARCHITECTURAL CERAMIC ASSEMBLIES WORKSHOP

For a fifth year, Architects, Façade Engineers, Ceramic Artists, Designers, and Students gathered via webinar for the Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop (ACAW) held Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13.
Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building in Buffalo, NY

Recounting Boston Valley Terra Cotta’s Work On Louis Sullivan Restoration Projects

Boston Valley Terra Cotta manufactured architectural terra cotta for many Louis Sullivan buildings. This blog is a compilation of the restoration work that we've done for Sullivan-designed buildings to maintain their iconic façades for future generations.
The green wall at Michael Chen's NYC Townhohuse was developed to hold native plants inside. Boston Valley manufactured the terraclad wall and planters for the project.

TerraTrust: Boston Valley’s commitment to the future of sustainable manufacturing

Boston Valley has recently launched the TerraTrust sustainability initiative. This blog discusses the ways in which terra cotta contributes positively to sustainable building and manufacturing practices.

In Conversation with Andy Brayman Part 3: sustainability & innovation in ceramics

This blog is the final installment of a three-part profile on Boston Valley Terra Cotta Research and Development Specialist, Andy Brayman. Sustainability is a vital topic in the architectural industry – lowering the carbon footprint of production is a huge, but necessary, responsibility to take on.
Andy Brayman among other participants of the 2016 ACAWorkshop.

In Conversation with Andy Brayman Part 2: working with architects to prepare for the ACAWorkshop

Andy Brayman has been involved in the ACAWorkshop since its inaugural year in 2016 but was brought into the fold as an organizer in 2019. Andy's job is to help produce prototypes in preparation for the final event.
Sample pieces of the TerraClad® Rainscreen made by Boston Valley for the Morphosis Architects designed Orange County Museum of Art

Boston Valley’s work on the Morphosis designed Orange County Museum of Art featured in The Architect’s Newspaper

Boston Valley Terra Cotta is working closely with Morphosis Architects to manufacture a custom TerraClad® façade for The Orange County Museum of Art, highlighted in a recent article by The Architect's Newspaper.