Terracotta | Ceramic Vault Construction
Terracotta is our inaugural design and construction project of brick vaults in collaboration with GiuliettaStudio. This year, we will be in Bergamo, Italy!
The workshop will be an excellent occasion for learning and training on the craft of Tile vaults, also called “Catalan vaulting”. After construction, the pavilion will serve as a shading place for outdoor pottery making for Giuliettastudio.
Dates:
18th till 22nd June 2024
In this workshop, CERCAA will run several activities on how to design and build a thin-tile vault. This vaulting technique is part of the rich construction heritage in Spain, Italy, and the Mediterranean. It uses plaster and layers of light tiles to build vaults, domes, arches, and stairs with almost no formwork. The brick vault can be a great way to save material and build efficiently and sustainably.
Lectures and Talks:
In the workshop, we will learn about the work of CERCAA’s team. The master vault builder Salvador Gomis will discuss with us his collaborations with architects, construction companies, and conservation specialists. Also, we will hear from Wesam Al Asali, co-founder of CERCAA, principles of vault design and construction. He will also talk to us about the materials and design of our intended pavilion on the campus. The workshop will also host a lecture on dome construction and the innovative approaches of dome construction in Italy and the Mediterranean led by our guest architect and historian Paolo Vitti.
Creative Evenings: Pottery Making and Flower Composition
During the workshop, we will have in-between activities led by Giuliettastudio that involve earth and clay, flower farming, and ceramics. You can choose to join one or both of these creative sessions. The first is an intro to flower farming and flower composition. The second is an intro on ceramic making where you will be guided to experiment with a few pieces and different techniques; you can choose one piece to be glazed and take home with you.
In this workshop, you will learn:
Practical training in the construction of brick vaults.
Understanding the uses of materials in vaults (gypsum, lime, and earth).
Use of design methods and calculation of vaults.
History and Modern Use of Tile Vaults.
History of brick domes construction without formwork.
Program:
18th June (Tuesday)
14:30 - 15:50: Welcome Introduction and talk on vault design and Construction Calculation by Dr. Wesam Al Asali
16:15 - 17:30: Introduction and talk on the construction of brick vaults and Construction Methods by Salvador Gomis
18:30 - 20:30: Welcome Aperitivo and Dinner (In-house)
19th June (Wednesday)
09:30 - 10:50: Practice
11:15 - 13:00: Practice
13:00 - 14:30: Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:50: Practice
16:15 - 17:30: Practice
20th June (Thursday)
09:30 - 10:50: Practice
11:15 - 13:00: Practice
13:00 - 14:30: Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:50: Practice
16:15 - 19:00: Flowers Design and Pottery making Intro Workshop with Aperitivo (Optional)
21st June (Friday)
09:30 - 10:50: Practice
11:15 - 13:00: Practice
13:00 - 14:30: Lunch Break
14:30 - 15:50: Practice
16:15 - 19:00: Practice
22nd June (Saturday)
09:30 - 10:50: Practice
11:15 - 13:00: Practice
13:00 - 14:30: Lunch Break and Presentation about the history of Dome in Italy and the Mediterranean by Guest Lecturer: Dr. Paolo Vitti
14:30 - 16:00: Wrap-up and Discussion
16:15 - 18:00: Wrap-up Aperitivo (In-house)
This workshop is suitable for all people interested in vaults and sustainable construction. We encourage architects and architecture students, engineers, builders, and conservation enthusiasts to participate.