Hankou Bank Archives Center, Wuhan, China
This historical project record documents a creamy-white architectural terracotta envelope combining approximately 12,000 m² of natural-surface facade tiles with approximately 1,450 linear metres of rectangular terracotta baguettes.
A restrained terracotta palette for an archives center
The building is composed as a clear, box-like volume. Creamy-white terracotta gives the facade a calm and consistent material identity, while changes in module and surface rhythm keep the elevations from appearing flat. Natural-surface tiles form the lower facade, and the upper areas introduce fine vertical lines that the original project description compares to neatly stacked archive files.
The 2020 source record states that elongated pieces for the upper facade were cut at LOPO’s plant and that 45-degree mitred edges were used to form the parallel vertical lines. These details are retained here as a record of this completed project, rather than as a current fabrication or supply commitment.
Recorded terracotta facade tile specification
The original project article records creamy-white, natural-surface terracotta facade tiles in a long-format range. Tile lengths were varied to support the elevation layout and its closely spaced vertical expression.
- Tile height: 450 mm
- Tile length range: 200–1,200 mm
- Tile thickness: 30 mm
- Recorded quantity: approximately 12,000 m²
- Colour and finish: creamy white, natural surface
These dimensions and quantities describe the Hankou Bank Archives Center project as recorded in 2020. Current product availability, tolerances, fixing details, samples and project-specific engineering should be confirmed separately for any new design.
Terracotta baguettes at the entrances
At the front and rear entrances, rectangular terracotta baguettes were combined with tiles in the same creamy-white colour. Their vertical arrangement extends the rhythm of the main facade across the entrance zones while providing a distinct change in depth and spacing.
- Section: 130 × 50 mm
- Recorded quantity: approximately 1,450 linear metres
- Colour and finish: creamy white, natural surface
Project context recorded at completion
The source article identifies the center as a four-storey complex with approximately 30,419.09 m² of construction area, comprising four archive warehouses and an ancillary building. It records that the facility entered use in December 2019. These details are presented as historical project information and are not statements about the building’s current operation.
For more completed applications of facade tiles, baguettes and other fired-clay elements, visit the Architectural Terracotta Gallery.
Discuss a terracotta facade project
For current facade-tile and baguette options, colour samples or project-specific technical discussion, send LOPO your elevations, preliminary quantities and delivery location.