Trinity House, Oxford

The architectural vision for Trinity House centred on creating a building that reflects both scientific advancement and environmental responsibility. The facade plays a critical role in this, combining bold geometry with a rich, tactile material palette.

Terracotta cladding was chosen for its ability to deliver both visual impact and long-term performance. Its natural durability, low maintenance requirements and flexibility in form allowed the design team to push beyond standard facade solutions.

At Trinity House, this potential is realised through the use of a bespoke concave tile, introducing depth and softness that enhance the building’s fluid form. The iridescent green finish reinforces this effect, shifting in tone depending on light conditions and viewing angle, creating a dynamic facade that evolves throughout the day.

Vertical planting integrated across sections of the elevation reinforces the building’s connection to sustainability and wellbeing, softening the overall appearance and embedding it within its landscaped setting.

Delivering a bespoke terracotta system of this complexity required close collaboration between LBT, Soladrilho Cerâmicas and the project the design team. From the earliest stages, the process was approached as a true partnership, ensuring the architectural intent could be realised without compromise.

A series of project-specific samples were developed at Soladrilho’s manufacturing facility to refine both the concave profile and the iridescent glaze. These samples allowed the design team to review how the material responded to light, colour variation and curvature before final approval. Factory visits were also arranged for key project stakeholders, providing valuable insight into the production process and building confidence in both quality and consistency.

The facade system was then carefully engineered to accommodate the building’s geometry while maintaining precision across large elevations.

Now complete, Trinity House stands as a distinctive addition to Oxford’s built environment. Its sculpted form, refined detailing and unique material palette set it apart within the city’s evolving architectural language.

For architects and specifiers, Trinity demonstrates the potential of bespoke terracotta profiles to achieve both technical performance and design ambition, particularly when supported by material expertise and early-stage collaboration.