Project Introduction

The project’s primary objective was to address roofing issues in an old terracotta building. The building’s terracotta units were in poor condition, making it a unique and challenging task. Only a few firms manufacture these units, and obtaining suitable replacements was not possible, as CR had undergone research into potential off the shelf products within the market and fell short of any material that could match the existing terracotta.

Why this wasn’t readily deducible by a competent professional.

The project had required thorough and extensive testing and trialling of alternative mixtures of material. Therefore, determining the correct mixture of materials to create a terracotta and mortar that mirror that from the existing building whilst remaining durable and weather resistant was technologically challenging. Thus, if a competent professional was to undergo a similar process, they would equally need to complete complex work.

Scientific or technical knowledge at the start

The baseline knowledge with this project was limited, therefore to obtain the essential information on material mixtures CR had undergone their own testing and trials alongside a terracotta specialist.

Project Criteria/Technological Advances

• The development of an advanced methodology that replicates a deteriorated terracotta material.
• The replication of colour and aesthetics of a material, whilst maintaining durability and weather resistance properties.
• The collaboration with terracotta specialists to refine a mortar mixture. Thus, the extensive and thorough research into the correct combination of materials.
• Overcoming system uncertainty by developing a replicated material to facilitate a build restoration.
• The development of the custom solution would meet durability and weather resistance properties.