Terra Cotta Replication

GFRC can be used to faithfully reproduce the “look and feel” of terra cotta masonry tiles and ornamentation, and is ideally suited to re-clad terra cotta façades which are deteriorating under the combined effects of time and climate.

The low shrinkage and fine texture of GFRC allows molds to be made from sculptural replications or from existing terra cotta ornamentation, then cast in GFRC to replicate the original designs. This enables GFRC panels to accurately replicate even the most elaborate terra cotta façade elements, including cornices, columns, pilasters, and decorative friezes.

Northwestern Mutual Life

GFRC panels were recently used to replace the cracked and blackened terra cotta tiles on a small penthouse on top of the 90+ year old historic Northwestern Mutual headquarters building.

The GFRC replacement panels provide a durable, attractive and accurate facsimile of the original terra cotta tile work at a fraction of the cost to replace them in kind.

Based on the success of this restoration, GFRC Cladding Systems has been contracted to re-clad the large rooftop terra cotta penthouse and interior atrium, as well as the granite cornice on top of the building. Recladding will take place with minimal interference to the offices or ongoing building functions.

Chicago Art Institute

In this PCI award winning project by Booth Hansen Architects, nearly 65,000 square feet of GFRC panels were used to simulate the ornate terra cotta style of the old Chicago School of Architecture buildings with their steel frames and terra cotta cladding. The 17-story building’s bay windows, with their fluted spandrel panels, and delicate molded mullions, are especially eye-catching.

Click here to download the full article appearing in Ascent magazine.