Terracotta has proven to be a timeless and versatile surface that is equally at home in the Uffizi Museum and Duomo in Florence, as in an old Tuscan villa or a modern Australian house.
While terracotta’s burnt-orange hue has long been a classic, the broader and contemporary range of colours produced by Cotto Manetti is seeing terracotta transcend the traditional to offer a new palette of timeless surfaces.
In our Expert Series, you’ll learn about Cotto Manetti; what makes Manetti Terracotta unique, durable and sustainable; and how the products can be customised.
Why is terracotta suited to Australian architecture?
Terracotta is suited to Australian architecture because it’s a raw, natural material that is very traditional, but can also be used in a modern installation. Architects and designers are often looking to use traditional materials in interesting ways. Manetti Terracotta is perfect for that, plus its sustainable and naturally hardwearing.
What is Cotto Manetti?
Established in 1780, Cotto Manetti is located in Ferrone, Italy, where it produces superior-quality terracotta tiles in strict compliance with the ancient traditions of Impruneta. The clay in Impruneta is uniquely rich in iron and extremely malleable and elastic, and when combined with Cotto Manetti’s three centuries of experience, produces dense terracotta surfaces with distinctive colouration.
Why is Artedomus’ partnership with Cotto Manetti important?
Artedomus has been selling Manetti terracotta for 10 years. Cotto Manetti is an excellent fit with the Artedomus brand because its products are truly exceptional and unique. It is renowned for producing a variety of colours, from the familiar burnt-orange to more unexpected hues, such as Bronze Naturale, Terre Colorate and Tobacco. The versatility of Cotto Manetti’s terracotta tiles also enable them to be used inside and outside for a variety of applications.
Because terracotta is a natural material, it is pure in its nature, which makes it more sustainable. This is important to Artedomus and the Australian architecture and design industry, as we seek to minimize the impact of our buildings on the environment.
What makes Manetti Terracotta unique?
Terracotta has been used in architecture and design for centuries. It is beautiful and timeless, and while it is traditional, it can be used in modern and interesting ways.
Manetti Terracotta has been used in some of the most famous buildings in the world and in history, including the Uffizi Museum and Duomo in Florence. These buildings are very public with thousands of visitors a day, but the terracotta still holds up with almost no deterioration at all.
How does Impruneta clay contribute to the quality of Manetti Teracotta?
Impruneta clay makes the Manetti Terracotta incredibly durable, and it’s as if it gets tougher and stronger with time. The clay is rich in iron and extremely malleable and elastic, so it produces very dense terracotta surfaces with distinctive colouration.
It can also be used for custom furniture, such as the Gioi table and Cave stools by Interno Design for Cotto Manetti. The modern pieces of furniture are made using old-school terracotta production, and the Impruneta clay ensures they are built to last and will endure being exposed to the elements outside.
What customisation options can Manetti offer designers?
Artedomus works closely with Cotto Manetti to help designers with custom pieces. Manetti can produce custom furniture pieces with the right design and quantity. They will put natural pigments in the clay to create special colours, and will also do edge pieces and other architectural elements.
What is Artedomus an expert in terracotta?
Terracotta is an amazing product, and the more we learn, the more we want to educate the design community. There has been a significant resurgence in the use of terracotta, using the traditional building material in a modern way. We have vast experience from commercial, hospitality and residential projects that enables to work with architects and designers to bring their terracotta vision to life.