The Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop (ACAW), now in its eighth consecutive year, has reached a newfound level of complexity and interdisciplinary collaboration. Hosted by Buffalo-based manufacturer Boston Valley Terra Cotta, the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, and the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, the weeklong event offers participating architecture and engineering firms, as well as students, an opportunity to hear from several speakers and to get their hands dirty designing and putting together terra-cotta facades and other architectural elements under the watchful eyes of the specialists.

Speakers, some of whom were also workshop attendees, included Eric Parry, principal of London-based Eric Parry Architects; Dutch glaze artist Christine Jetten, John Krouse, CEO of Boston Valley Terra Cotta; and Orel Samson, senior manager of Allied Properties REIT.