ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Architectural terracotta

Have you ever played with clay, and made things out of it, like pots and other objects? Well, imagine a very special type of clay that is used to make beautiful buildings. This special clay is called architectural terracotta.

Architectural terracotta is a type of clay that is super strong and can withstand the outside weather like hot sun, rain, and even snow! It's very important to make sure that buildings are strong and durable so they last a very long time.

So, architects and builders use this special clay to make decorative pieces that go on the outside of buildings. They are designed to add beauty to the building while also being functional. Some examples include ornate roof tiles, columns, and wall cladding.

The process of making architectural terracotta is kind of like playing with clay, but on a much larger scale. Large molds are used to shape the clay into the desired design, and then the clay is fired in a very hot oven called a kiln. This makes the clay super strong and durable.

Once the terracotta is finished, it can be painted or glazed to add even more beauty to the building. It's really amazing how something as simple as clay can be turned into a gorgeous decorative piece on a building!

Overall, architectural terracotta is a super strong and beautiful type of clay that is used to decorate buildings. It's made by shaping the clay into different designs, firing it in a kiln, and then painting or glazing it. It's a very important part of making sure buildings are both strong and beautiful.