Terracotta

Terracotta building components

Terracotta building elements differ from other building elements primarily in the high demands placed on the craftsmanship and artistic skills in the manufacturing process. The material captivates with its earthy, warm colours. In addition, the natural material is very weather-resistant and is therefore ideally suited for façade design.

Craftmanship
References
In stock

Especially figurative terracottas require
a high degree of sculptural skills and craftsmanship
in order to be realised in ceramics.

Material

The word »terracotta« derives from the Italian »terra cotta« and means »burnt earth«. The production of this natural building material is already fascinating, because terracotta is produced from ferrous red clay, but also from calcareous yellowish soils. The characteristic properties of the material are then determined by the specific additive.

The finished building components are waterproof, weatherproof and have good durability in addition to their natural warm colours.

Craftmanship

The execution of figurative terracottas demands high standards of artistic and craft skills. The motif is first modelled in plaster, after which the mould is made. Often several partial forms are needed, which – later in the creative process – are assembled to one piece. Successful examples are the artistically modelled terracotta eagles that were made for the Alte Kommandantur in Berlin, and the sophisticated reliefs of the Schinkel Bauakademie, which were created in collaboration with specialised sculptors.

References

CITY PALACE, BERLIN

GOLEM used light yellow-burning clay to manufacture sculpted terracotta pilaster capitals for the restoration of the Berlin Palace in central Berlin.

Schwerin Palace

In 2004/2005 the entire terracotta gable was revised. GOLEM supplied around 60 types of shaped bricks and terracottas.

Bauakademie Musterfassade, Berlin

A full-size model facade for this project was erected in the 1990s and GOLEM produced terracotta friezes and over 100 different specials as well as the standard “Reichsformat” bricks required for its construction.

Alte Kommandantur, Berlin

For reconstruction of this building from 2002–2003 GOLEM formed 8 large-sized monolithic eagles.

CONSTRUCTION CERAMIC IN STOCK

In our warehouse we have shaped bricks, terracottas, copies of building elements and sculptural objects. We offer them to everyone for sale or reproduction.