original_query: What is architectural terracotta and how is it used in buildings?
query: What is architectural terracotta and how is it used in buildings?
answer: Architectural terracotta is a fired mixture of clay and water used in buildings for non-structural, semi-structural, or structural purposes, both interior and exterior.  It can be unglazed, painted, slip-glazed, or glazed and was used in ancient buildings for roof tiles, medallions, statues, and other details.  In later periods, it became a popular cladding material for skyscrapers, offering fire and pollution resistance.