Terrazzo techniques: Classic, Venetian, Palladiana and Scarpa terrazzo
Inspiration without limits
Terrazzo offers a nearly limitless combination of colors and patterns, making it customizable to suit any aesthetic preference or design scheme. Options vary from subtle, monochromatic designs to bold, multicolored patterns. This versatility has made terrazzo a favorite among architects and interior designers for creating unique and eye-catching floors.
Customizing terrazzo can also evoke a range of aesthetics by varying the aggregate size. Fine micro-aggregates can create a minimal, monochromatic appearance, akin to classic terrazzo, while larger aggregates introduce more contrast—this technique is known as Venetian terrazzo. For even greater contrast, irregularly or regularly shaped stone slabs, set randomly or methodically, can be embedded in cement or epoxy. This method is referred to as Palladiana or Scarpa terrazzo.
However, these latter techniques tend to be more expensive, as they require an increase in the thickness of the terrazzo to accommodate the thickness of the stone slabs, necessitating more material.
Classic terrazzo
Classic or standard terrazzo flooring is the most commonly used technique. It features moderately small stone chips mixed with a resin or cement bond, which are then poured onto the floor. Once set, the surface is ground and polished to achieve a smooth finish.
Venetian terrazzo
Venetian terrazzo flooring complements a wide range of interior designs, from classical to modern and contemporary. Similar to classic terrazzo, Venetian terrazzo is ground and polished; however, it features larger stone chips. These chips are manually placed into the terrazzo mixture after the mixture is poured and leveled. Once the stone pieces are evenly distributed, they are pressed into the terrazzo mortar. After the mixture hardens, the surface is ground and polished. This technique is usually applied at a thickness of 15 to 20 mm, which is then ground down to a final thickness of 13 to 18 mm. In contrast, techniques like Palladiana and Scarpa can reach thicknesses of up to 30 mm.
Palladiana terrazzo
Palladiana flooring is a modern interpretation of the ancient Roman construction technique known as Opus Incertum. It became popular in the 16th century, thanks to the architect Andrea Palladio. This flooring style features irregularly shaped stone slabs, typically no wider than 15 to 20 cm and 2 to 3 cm thick. These slabs are often created from leftover materials from other stone-working processes, making this technique particularly cost-effective compared to other flooring options in this category. Even today, Palladiana flooring is usually created on-site, with stones arranged manually in various types and colors of marble.
In the Palladiana method, marble or glass slabs are broken by hand into irregular pieces. The flooring consists of these irregularly shaped pieces which are carefully crafted and sealed within the surface. After all the pieces are placed, a terrazzo mix is poured around them. This mixture typically consists of moderately small stone chips, resembling classic terrazzo. This technique can be adapted and can have a few pieces inset there and there, or a more compact look. Once the mixture hardens, the entire floor is ground and polished, revealing the beautiful patterns and colors of the materials used.
Scarpa terrazzo
Scarpa flooring is inspired by the terrazzo designs of the late Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa. Born in Venice in 1906, Scarpa was a visionary architect, glassmaker, and furniture designer. His flooring design for the Olivetti Showroom in St. Mark’s Square, Venice, established a signature style that has left a lasting impact on 20th-century flooring design.
The Scarpa pattern is a Palladiana technique featuring pieces of marble or glass cut into square or rectangular shapes. These pieces are arranged in a continuous, regular pattern across the floor, with a classic terrazzo mix poured around them. Scarpa’s technique creates a sense of regularity in the installation of the marble pieces while allowing for manual irregularities in their cutting, resulting in a unique and visually engaging floor.
Current design trends favor bolder and more intricate patterns for maximum visual impact. The terrazzo technique allows for personalized and custom designs that truly stand out. Installing patterned terrazzo requires expert skills to achieve a flawless finish, so it’s essential to have an experienced contractor. Terrazzo continues to push creative boundaries, offering a customized flooring solution that delivers an unmatched wow factor. Each terrazzo pattern is unique; it is nearly impossible to reproduce the same texture or pattern twice.