Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Topic: Architectural Terra Cotta Detailing for Restoration
Speaker: Rachel Will, PE

Architectural terra cotta clad facades have been around for over 100 years. When the National Terra Cotta Society (NTCS) was created in 1910, they produced guide specifications and details in a folio first published in 1914 and later revised in 1927. This webinar will compare the early detailing for architectural terra cotta, along with other relevant industry standards and provide an assessment of the lessons learned and how that has translated into revised detailing, material production, and installation. Additionally, we will introduce new developments related to restoration of architectural terra cotta elements that have been developed in a collaborative effort between design professionals and terra cotta manufacturers. Specifically, revised details based on those shown in the NTCS documents but incorporating aspects of cavity and rainscreen wall assemblies. Finally, a new prototype terra cotta assembly that has been developed by design professionals at the Architectural Ceramics Assembly Workshop will be presented. These prototypes begin the process of evaluating alternative fabrication and support methods of architectural terra cotta. Read more at womenwire.org.