Photo credit (left to right): David Brossard, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, davidvives90/Pixabay,
While opinions certainly differ, many architects believe that the three of the most recognizable buildings of the early 20th century are the Flatiron Building in New York City, the Wrigley Building in Chicago, and the Arctic Club Building in Seattle. What do these three iconic buildings have in common? They are clad in terracotta exteriors – a fired-clay building material with an ancient lineage and a strikingly modern quality: biophilia.
In the 1870s, terracotta cladding grew in popularity in the United States. Architects were attracted to terracotta for its adaptability to visual design, its fireproof qualities, and its cost advantage over carved stone. The most well-known use of architectural terracotta is as a decorative cladding system for urban commercial buildings.
More recently, architects and designers have advanced the concept of biophilic design, which seeks to increase a feeling of well-being by fostering a closer connection to nature. And terracotta (literally “baked earth”) is a natural.
What This Means for You — Incorporating natural elements, materials, landscaping, and lighting into a built environment enhances the well-being and productivity of its occupants. This is a powerful benefit for commercial builders and architects. Biophilic design increases a building’s aesthetic appeal and overall sustainability.
AGROB BUCHTAL terracotta cladding, available from Innovative Building Products, fits the biophilic model. It is an eco-friendly material known for its durability, recyclability, and low environmental impact. It also adds a natural aesthetic to the built environment.
The Seven Principles of Biophilic Design
- Nature in Space: Incorporating natural elements such as wood, clay, plants, and water features.
- Natural Shapes and Forms: Using shapes and forms often found in the natural world – curves, arches, and other irregular shapes.
- Natural Patterns and Textures: These include wood grains, stone textures, and patterns that reflect water and vegetation.
- Light and Shadow: Using natural light and shadow in the design to promote a feeling of depth and dimension.
- Color: Natural hues in blues, greens, and earth tones creating a sense of calmness and serenity.
- Views: Incorporating views of landscape design or curated gardens into the design of the building.
- Connection to Nature: Invoking a greater connection to nature by using natural materials, textures, and other elements.
A Case Example: The Round Rock Public Library
As a leading ceramics manufacturer, AGROB BUCHTAL has extensive know-how in all fields of architectural ceramics. With this background, the company has been developing and producing ceramic facade systems for more than four decades.
Curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades are a particular focus of the company. These systems optimize the energy efficiency and economical balance of buildings. Technically sophisticated substructures connect the façade to the wall via an insulating layer.
An example of the visually stunning effect of this terracotta cladding is found in the recently completed public library in Round Rock, Texas, located a few miles north of Austin, in one of America’s fastest growing metro areas.
Click the tablet to read the case study of this energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing, high-use public building.
One of the most common ways to install terracotta cladding is based on the rainscreen principle. Panels are hung onto a sub-support system, offering durability without the added weight of masonry installation. Creating continuous insulation with overlapping joints, the rainscreen system drains water away from the space beneath the support structure and protects the building from rain, wind, and snow.
Only Connect
When used to design and construct buildings, terracotta deeply connects us to the earth. Biophilic buildings respect the inherent human need to feel connected to the natural world.
In his 1984 book, Biophilia, naturalist and conservationist Edward O. Wilson first used this term. According to Wilson, biophilia was an intrinsic human empathy for the natural world. Wilson argued that humans derived pleasure from being surrounded by diverse living organisms and that this was the result of a biological adaptation.
The natural world contains the elements of earth, water, air, and fire. Biophilic design philosophy is elemental. AGROB BUCHTAL terracotta cladding has a long history of being durable, requiring limited maintenance, and fire-resistant while also offering an empathetic connection to the natural world that people both want and need.
Will AGROB BUCHTAL cladding enhance your next commercial project? Contact an expert about your specs and objectives.