John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art – Center for Asian Art

Location

Sarasota, FL

Forming Method

RAM Press

Architect

Machado Silvetti

Market

Museum

Installation Contractor

Sun Tile of Sarasota, Inc

Region

Southeast

Application

TerraClad®

Categorized as: TerraClad
Photo Credit ©Anton Grassl/Esto

Take a look at our archived posts, illustrating the progress of this project from the production of the prototype models to the digital development of the primary masonry units, to Machado Silvetti’s inspection of the glaze and track. The installation of the three thousand iridescent terra cotta tiles made quite an impression on the local press. The jade green glazed tiles were produced one at a time at the Boston Valley Terra Cotta facilities in Orchard Park, New York, by RAM-press, hand press, and slip cast forming methods, and installed on an aluminum track and clip system. The Centre for Asian Art expansion is intended to create an impressive entrance and accommodate the museum’s growing collection of Asian art.

BSA Design Awards

2016 Honor Awards for Design Excellence
The Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Tags: Museums, New Build, RAM Press, Southeast, TerraClad,

The Facade

The John and Mable Ringling Museum – Center for Asian Art is a signature building designed by Machado and Silvetti Associates. Boston Valley Terra Cotta worked with the architect to manufacture the deep green TerraClad® façade on the 7,500 square-foot expansion.

Often referred to as “The Jewel Box,” The Center for Asian Art is the grand entranceway to the 1931 museum. The building’s clean, geometric form is a complement to the complex exterior façade. The custom, jade green glaze was developed to embody the objects within their collection of Asian artifacts along with the abundant natural landscape of coastal Florida.

Machado Silvetti created the design for the interlocking system of ceramic cladding, inspired by the terra cotta masonry on the historic Ca’ d’Zan Mansion. Boston Valley Terra Cotta brought the idea to life with their experience fabricating custom building skins. Early involvement in the design process helped the architect understand the capabilities of Boston Valley and allowed for better communication between both parties, streamlining the project scope.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art-Center for Asian Art, Boston valley terra cotta, architectural terracotta, TerraClad, New Build, Florida, American manufacturer, Machado Silvetti, Glaze

The Ram Press Forming Method

The Ringling Museum terra cotta tiles were produced using three of the four forming methods available for manufacturing at Boston Valley. The RAM Press method was used to create three of the custom unit types.

The RAM Press die consists of two parts made to the specifications of the approved drawings from the mold and model shop. Clay slabs are placed on the plaster mold; once the hydraulic press activates, the other half of the mold is pressed onto the clay forcing it to take shape. Water and air are forced into the clay releasing the newly formed tiles. This process enhances the capacity to manufacture duplicates in large quantities.

The custom TerraClad® façade is comprised of 2,750 modular tiles measuring 24″ and 18″,and weighing from 60-70 lbs. each. In total, 10 unique shapes were used throughout the design of the façade. Repetition reduced the amount of molds needed, but special attention to detail was needed to resolve interaction at the corners of the building.

Three of the tile forms were created using the RAM Press forming method. The corner tiles were manufactured using the hand-press and slip-casting forming methods and were custom cut to fit precisely. A modified version of the Rainscreen track and clip system was used in the installation of the Ringling tiles with a consistent 3/8″ gap, allowing for easy replacement in the future.

One of the unfinished interlocking terra cotta units that make up the Ringling Center for Asian Art's facade, produced by Boston Valley Terra Cotta using the RAM Press method

Download a PDF (1.3MB) of the Ringling Center for Asian Art Case Study Brochure

Ringling Center for Asian Art Case Study Brochure - PDF

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