• The sustainability header is the project 512 West 22nd Street in NYC

TerraTrust

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

We are continuously enhancing our current fabrication processes to further the innovation in architectural ceramics.  With sustainability in mind, we are focused on the development of new products and processes within our ACAWorkshop and our internal Research and Design team led by our glaze engineers. Our team is continually exploring alternatives to our aluminum track and clip system and glazes made with recycled materials.

All Boston Valley Terra Cotta products are manufactured in the USA; buying domestic products can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Our commitment to sustainability has led us to improve our internal processes, going paperless and finding other ways to save energy. Our yearly ACAWorkshop allows outside architects the arena to experiment with terra cotta, exploring new ideas, often centered around the sustainable properties of the material.

As a part of TERRATRUST, Boston Valley Terra Cotta’s ® commitment to protecting the environment and holistically supporting sustainability is affirmed through the following bullet points:

  • Continuously innovate our processes in order to maximize re-use of materials – progressing towards our goal of a closed-loop production
  • Source raw materials domestically and locally wherever possible in order to reduce our transportation footprint
  • Perform thorough due-diligence supplier interviews to ensure responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain
  • Experiment with recycled and/or environmentally friendly materials in our production processes to create new industry standards
  • Consider potential environmental impact and mitigation approaches in all business decisions prior to implementation
  • Ensure that TERRATRUST and our overall approach to sustainability is imbedded deeply in our company culture
  • Proactively engage with all associated Federal, State and non-regulatory bodies with focus on the continual improvement of our environmental performance
  • Network with other businesses and academia in order to identify and implement environmental process improvements
  • Continuously innovate our processes in order to maximize re-use of materials – progressing towards our goal of a closed-loop production
  • Source raw materials domestically and locally wherever possible in order to reduce our transportation footprint
  • Perform thorough due-diligence supplier interviews to ensure responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain
  • Experiment with recycled and/or environmentally friendly materials in our production processes to create new industry standards
  • Consider potential environmental impact and mitigation approaches in all business decisions prior to implementation
  • Ensure that TERRATRUST and our overall approach to sustainability is imbedded deeply in our company culture
  • Proactively engage with all associated Federal, State and non-regulatory bodies with focus on the continual improvement of our environmental performance
  • Network with other businesses and academia in order to identify and implement environmental process improvements

Long Lasting

Terra cotta is a natural material that is inherently sustainable and has beneficial properties. In recent years, architectural terra cotta and faience have made a comeback as architects and façade engineers recognize the value that is added by designing with terra cotta.

A combination of raw materials, terra cotta is malleable when mixed with water and becomes durable when fired, lasting for hundreds of years. Terra cotta clay fired to a dense state can withstand freeze/thaw conditions and performs well in a variety of climates. Terra cotta is also fireproof and pollution resistant, ensuring a longer lasting building envelope. It is this durability that contributes to the longevity of a building, reducing the amount of discarded building materials in our landfills.

  • The Guaranty building in buffalo was one of the first restoration projects done by Boston Valley Terra Cotta with Flynn Battaglia
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  • 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.
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Lower Energy Production

As we consider the ways that we impact our environment, it is important that we make a conscious effort to improve the conditions of our planet. In manufacturing and construction, the long-term environmental impact of our actions must be considered through each step.

The manufacturing of architectural terra cotta requires a lower cost of energy per ton compared to other raw materials commonly used in construction. Additionally, the CO₂ emissions per ton of terra cotta is significantly lower than carbon emitted from construction materials like concrete, glass, and aluminum; once fired, the raw materials used to create terra cotta produce virtually no emissions. In the production process, Boston Valley takes measures to save energy, such as hand painting the edges of our products when necessary to avoid unnecessary double firings.

To find out more, click here to watch Alfred University’s William M. Carty, Ph.D.’s webinar, Energy in Terra Cotta: The Balance Between Heat Storage & Strength

Lower Energy Production

As we consider the ways that we impact our environment, it is important that we make a conscious effort to improve the conditions of our planet. In manufacturing and construction, the long-term environmental impact of our actions must be considered through each step.

The manufacturing of architectural terra cotta requires a lower cost of energy per ton compared to other raw materials commonly used in construction. Additionally, the CO₂ emissions per ton of terra cotta is significantly lower than carbon emitted from construction materials like concrete, glass, and aluminum; once fired, the raw materials used to create terra cotta produce virtually no emissions. In the production process, Boston Valley takes measures to save energy, such as hand painting the edges of our products when necessary to avoid unnecessary double firings.

Click here to watch William M. Carty, Ph.D.’s webinar, Energy in Terra Cotta: The Balance Between Heat Storage & Strength.

  • 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.
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Less Waste in Manufacturing

Boston Valley Terra Cotta is committed to the responsible sourcing of materials, reduction of waste, recycling, and the development of new processes that will improve the efficiency of our terra cotta cladding. We affirm our commitment to the well-being of our planet through responsible manufacturing practices and a continuous investment in the future of sustainable manufacturing.

Our plant efficiency and quality assurance processes assures streamlined manufacturing with less material waste. Water used in production of architectural terra cotta is recycled for use in other steps of the manufacturing process. Discarded terra cotta can also be recycled back into the production of new clay bodies.

  • Ground up terra cotta is recycled in the production process as grog. Grog is used in the production of new clay bodies.
  • Specialty glazes developed at Boston Valley Terra Cotta's off-site glaze lab by Andy Brayman with recycled materials
  • detail shot of a terra cotta block with a painted edge
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Less Waste in Manufacturing

Our plant efficiency and quality assurance processes assures streamlined manufacturing with less material waste. Water used in production of architectural terra cotta is recycled for use in other steps of the manufacturing process. Discarded terra cotta can also be recycled back into the production of new clay bodies.

  • Ground up terra cotta is recycled in the production process as grog. Grog is used in the production of new clay bodies.
  • Specialty glazes developed at Boston Valley Terra Cotta's off-site glaze lab by Andy Brayman with recycled materials
  • detail shot of a terra cotta block with a painted edge
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  • FDNY in Brooklyn, NY, is a Studio Gang designed fire company with stunning red terra cotta portals.
  • John and Mable Ringling Museum, Center for Asian Art in the Dr Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art, Location: Sarasota FL, Architect: Machado and Silvetti
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Easy to Clean & Maintain

Terra cotta is a resilient material that can last hundreds of years with proper care. Our surfaces require little to no maintenance, and if needed, terra cotta can be easily cleaned with disinfecting detergent and light pressure washing. Our glazed and through-body surfaces will not change in color or finish with repeated cleaning and exceeds the chemical resistance requirements of the Standard Specification for Ceramic Glazed Structural Clay Facing Tile, Facing Brick, and Solid Masonry Units (ASTM-C126). The outer layer of glazed terra cotta creates a barrier that provides additional benefits in interior applications since it is easy to clean and disinfect, helping to fight off mold growth.

Easy to Clean & Maintain

Terra cotta is a resilient material that can last hundreds of years with proper care. Our surfaces require little to no maintenance, and if needed, terra cotta can be easily cleaned with disinfecting detergent and light pressure washing. Our glazed and through-body surfaces will not change in color or finish with repeated cleaning and exceeds the chemical resistance requirements of the Standard Specification for Ceramic Glazed Structural Clay Facing Tile, Facing Brick, and Solid Masonry Units (ASTM-C126). The outer layer of glazed terra cotta creates a barrier that provides additional benefits in interior applications since it is easy to clean and disinfect, helping to fight off mold growth.

  • FDNY in Brooklyn, NY, is a Studio Gang designed fire company with stunning red terra cotta portals.
  • John and Mable Ringling Museum, Center for Asian Art in the Dr Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art, Location: Sarasota FL, Architect: Machado and Silvetti
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