Innovation Meets Tradition in a Terracotta Façade

On 51^st Street in the Turtle Bay neighborhood, Selldorf Architects has designed a new 29-story residential tower distinguished by a unitized façade clad in ram-pressed terracotta.

The project posed a technical challenge for FSA – the façade consultant – and for Simeon, whose expertise lies in integrating structure and enclosure and delivering custom high-performance systems. More than 9,000 ram-pressed terracotta panels were engineered and manufactured, each featuring intricate profiles and a sculpted surface that defines the tower’s distinctive visual impact. 

Parametric tools and 3D modeling supported all phases of development, ensuring manufacturing precision and complete coordination across façade units.

Impruneta terracotta sourced from a historic clay-region south of Florence was selected for its mechanical performance and refined appearance: a natural, fully recyclable material that pairs low environmental impact with lasting durability. For Simeon, the tower marks a significant milestone in the North American market, reinforcing its presence in a strategic Manhattan setting while advancing the contemporary use of a traditional material that is aligned with today’s priorities around sustainability and high performance.

The design approach – centered on minimizing carbon impact across the building’s life cycle – reflects Simeon’s commitment to building envelopes that balance esthetic quality, technical performance and environmental responsibility.

The result is an iconic building in which engineering precision and design elegance meet in a fluid, refined façade animated by the soft, undulating forms of terracotta.

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Courtesy Simeon

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