The Modern Revival of Terra Cotta Architecture
Source: Untapped Journal
Author: Kriston Capps
Date: 03.24.2025
Boston Valley Terra Cotta had the privilege of being included in a thoughtful article on the evident revival of terra cotta architecture. While we wouldn’t “call it a comeback,” designers and journalists are noting a resurgence in the use of what may be the world’s oldest building material. Citing Morphosis’ Orange County Museum of Art and KFP’s One Vanderbilt, the article illustrates how terra cotta has proven to be so much more than just an aesthetic choice for architects of contemporary structures.
Left: Thousands of white spandrels were custom fabricated for KPF’s One Vanderbilt tower in NYC. Right: A full scale mockup helps rationalize the curved façade for Morphosis’ OCMA.
Architectural terra cotta is a geologically derived product, combining durability and sustainability to minimize waste sent to landfills, reduce maintenance needs, and ensure longevity for years to come. It offers high performance in extreme climates by resisting freeze/thaw cycles, and provides superior thermal, fire, and sound insulation. The material also retains its beauty through wear and tear from the elements, thanks to terra cotta’s natural UV- and mildew-resistance.
The clay is uniquely pliant when mixed with water, making it adaptable to the architects’ design intent; but once fired, it is an exceptionally durable building material. Malleable in form and finish, terra cotta’s versatility is equally suited for masonry construction, rainscreen, or precast facades; valued by historic preservationists and contemporary visionaries alike.
From the article:
“[Terra cotta] can be made any color, any type of shape. It gave the architectural world a little more freedom than glass or metal had traditionally — definitely more than brick,” says Laura Rygielski, CEO of Boston Valley Terra Cotta, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of architectural ceramics. “That helped spur some more designs, a little more adventurous and more bespoke.”
Architects and designers have pointed to the “human element” of terra cotta as part of its charm. Despite the use of modern technology in production processes, there is still a certain amount of skilled handicraft required to complete a terra cotta product that sets it apart from metals or glass. Clay is never uniform, and therein lies its beauty.
Time-honored craftsmanship is the basis of expertise, while innovation and technology expand terra cotta throughout varied construction applications, high-performance solutions, and design aesthetics. Boston Valley is dedicated to advancing the architectural ceramic industry, as exemplified at the Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop. Learn more about ACAW and view team prototypes from past years here.
Header image: The Showroom at Boston Valley Headquarters holds full-scale mockups from many of our contemporary projects.
