Selldorf Architects proudly participated in the Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop (ACAW) hosted by Boston Valley Terra Cotta, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture and the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. The workshop brought together architecture and engineering firms as well as structural hardware fabricators and allowed us to explore the innovative potential of terracotta in high-performance facades. Together with facade consultant SOCOTEC, Selldorf Architects developed an ingenious rainscreen system that achieved a remarkable 60% reduction in standard panel weight by implementing refined geometric shaping and parabolic strengthening. Furthermore, we challenged conventional boundaries by incorporating iron-oxide pigment, a byproduct of cleaning up of environmental hazardous acid water from abandoned coal mines, into both terracotta body and glazing, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence of innovation and sustainability within architectural design. As ACAW continues to expand and evolve, we anticipate even more exciting developments at the intersection of design, technology, sustainability and fabrication in the years ahead.
Very elegant. Congradulations
Senior Architect
12moWith gratitude to John Krouse and the team from Boston Valley and Omar Khan, Carnegie Mellon for a productive week that was also a lot of fun.