As architects, we are always looking for new materials and technologies to make projects standout in terms of aesthetics, design and functionality. The type of products available and an architects’ knowledge about its uses will have a direct influence in the design stage of a project.
Terracotta Façades panels by industry leader NBK (a Hunter Douglas company) bring a completely new dimension to designing the building exterior. Blending the latest technology for ventilated façades with urban tradition and materials, NBK terracotta tiles meet the highest standards for both architecture and design.
Key Features
-Proprietary facade solutions by NBK move water away from building envelopes, using a ventilated and pressure-equalized system. -Natural chimney effects not only keep the building dry to reduce maintenance, but also help save energy, due to the cooling effect of air movement. -Wide range of profiles for surface design, from fine textures to strongly profiled structures. NBK’s line includes natural and peeled surfaces as well as horizontal profiles. -Specialization in custom applications. Sizes, shapes, and finishes to meet any requirement. -Ideal for both new construction and over-cladding projects. Full CAD and project management support available.
The Rainscreen System
Custom designed and engineered the NBK TERRART® ceramic clay tile facade is based on the rainscreen principle. The vertical joints are backed by a support system which drains rainwater away from the cavities behind. The gaskets, together with balanced air pressure, discourage water from entering the wall cavities.
The tile design allows for air to flow through “open joints”, which helps to balance air pressure in the cavities behind the terracotta cladding elements with that of outside air; hence the term pressure equalization.
Driven rainwater will not enter the cavities because of the overlapping joints (“protected openings”) and lack of pressure differential. The “back-ventilation” assists in maintaining a dry cavity and negates the buildup of hot air, an additional benefit to the TERRART® rainscreen system.
Shapes and sizes
NBK manufactures tiles in a widerange of special ceramic shapes and sizes, in addition to a line of standard elements (Large, Mid, Baguette, Solid, and Shingle).
TERRART® Large
TERRART® Mid
TERRART® Shingle
TERRART® Solid
TERRART® Baguette
The range of TERRART® products offers a numerous other shapes and sizes. This gives designers the opportunity to create signature buildings on every NBK terracotta project. Custom designed shapes and profiles, solid corner tiles, radius tiles, and radius baguettes, window sill and wall copings, are some of the features NBK can produce for a project.
Colors and surfaces
NBK’s customizable variety of natural, polished and glazed finishes supports thousands of color, surface, and texture combinations. TERRART® glazes and honed finishes are being increasingly exploited as a design feature in contemporary architecture. The company’s expertise in complicated mixing techniques and traditional firing methods allow virtually any color and surface texture specification to be met to the letter. This allows NBK, in consultation with designers of exclusive product assortments, to make unique buildings. The colors shown represent only a few of the overall range. Any required shade can be provided upon request.
Horizontal and Vertical Details
Jamb and Corner Details
Projects that used this product
Harvard CGIS / Product Used: TERRART®-Large
Museum Brandhorst / Product Used: TERRART®-Baguette
This post is part of our ongoing effort to create a database of architectural products, a useful resource for all architects, with the help of our partners.
Hunter Douglas Contract is a business partner of ArchDaily.
