URBAN RENEWAL: EVOLVING TERRA COTTA

Carl Elefante says, “The greenest building is one that is already built.” (1) Modern buildings are designed to last 30-60 years – what if we renewed and built to last a minimum of 250 years? This thesis champions terra cotta for its low-carbon properties, compressive strength, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic possibilities. Some of the oldest artifacts that tell our evolutionary story are ceramic vessels dating back to 10,000 BCE.

Architectural terra cotta manufacturing has almost disappeared in the US. By designing a terra cotta innovation and production facility, and retrofitting a 1928 industrial building, the project introduces terra cotta as a viable architectural and structural building material for low-rise construction and adaptation. Optimization strategies and new technology make it a compelling alternative to concrete and metal.