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Four students from ��Ӱֱ�� State College’s Architecture and Design Department participated in an inter-campus collaboration with ��Ӱֱ�� University, working under the guidance of the Southern Tier Architectural Resource Center (STAR) and Professor Alan Vlakancic. This semester-long initiative focused on exploring innovative uses of terra cotta, a material deeply rooted in the region’s history.

Connor Dolan, Francisco Mendez-Reyes, Zion Threats, and Connor Welsh studied terra cotta’s artistic, structural, and historical significance. By engaging with industry professionals and immersing themselves in the design and fabrication process, they developed original works ranging from conceptual and artistic pieces to practical design applications.

The quartet was part of ��Ӱֱ�� University University’s terra cotta history course, taught by Laurie Lounsberry-Meehan. The students had the opportunity to meet with local artisans, professionals, and peers. The students specifically concentrated on the physical design, crafting, and firing of unique terra cotta tiles.

Welsh learned a great deal from the opportunity. "My experience with the STAR program was profound in my understanding of architecture and my development in designing capabilities. When learning about the materials we use every day to construct a building we often forget the process behind making it. Every terra cotta tile has a long exact process to create it. Seeing the process has been eye opening and something I will never forget.”

"Ever since settling in ��Ӱֱ��, I have been impressed at the forms of terra cotta and its roof tiles that are prominent on the village's buildings,” added Mendez-Reyes. “Having this opportunity to experiment with the design and engineering of a terra cotta roof tile enforced the hands-on programs that ��Ӱֱ�� State has to offer.”

"Although we must use scale in our practices, there is no limit to the scale at which we observe architecture,” stated Dolan. “Whether we are observing the intricate details of global needs or the intricate details of the molecular structure of a material such as terra cotta."

Threats added, "I have learned a lot about the processes of making two-part molds and was able to take a deeper look into how materials are formed to make up our built environment.”

The culminating exhibition was open to the public, offering the community a chance to engage with the students’ creative interpretations and celebrate this timeless material.