Organizations and Events

Architectural Workshop to Challenge Traditional Terra Cotta Design Models

Buffalo, NY – The sixth consecutive Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop (ACAW) will take place on August 19, commencing with an opening keynote speech by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, principals of Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects | Partners.

ACAW is an industry-academic collaborative workshop hosted by Boston Valley Terra Cotta, with Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture and the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. Its aim is to broaden industry professionals’ knowledge of the performance of terra cotta, encouraging a deeper understanding of manufacturing architectural ceramics that will inform next-generation designs.

Guided by terra cotta manufacturers and ceramicists, eight teams of architects, façade engineers, and educators work together over the course of the workshop to share knowledge and gain experience developing terra cotta wall assemblies. Visual mockups, constructed by the teams on-site at Boston Valley, will be virtually presented during the conference. The event is concluded by closing keynote speaker Mic Patterson, PHD and LEED AP+ of Façade Tectonics Institute.

The ACAW 2021 Workshop has brought together preeminent members from architecture and engineering firms around the world. Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc. is participating in two separate teams, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, and a team from Studio Gang. Professionals from COOKFOX Architects and Buro Happold are working as one team. TriPyramid is also on two teams – supporting HOK, Permasteelisa North America, and Josef Gartner; in addition to Architecture Research Office (ARO) and Heintges. Goody Clancy and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) comprise the sixth professional team. Academic teams include students from Carnegie Mellon University, and a collaborative study between faculty from the College of Ceramics at Alfred University and the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning.