Published Paper Details:

Terracotta is among the ancient building materials known to mankind since time immemorial, having been used in pottery, floors, roofs, walls, and decorative elements. Although terracotta is an old but relevant architectural material, it is mostly sidelined in contemporary interior designs due to its preference for industrialized materials such as vitrified tiles, laminates, engineered wood, and artificial wall finishes. This study revisits terracotta as a relevant, sustainable, and adaptive material for current interior uses. This study considers terracotta from historical, material, perceptual, case-study, and application viewpoints, paying attention to its thermal properties, tactile feel, sustainability aspects, artisan value, and spatial experiences. Terracotta is also evaluated as a material that could be explored further as a module of tiles, acoustic panels, partitions, feature walls, lighting solutions, and furniture pieces. From findings, terracotta demonstrates high climatic adaptability and visual warmth qualities, in addition to numerous sustainability strengths. Nevertheless, maintenance Challenges, lack of knowledge, and outdated perceptions are some of the factors that restrict the extensive use of terracotta.