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Architecture/Venetian terrazzo

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Expert: - 1/7/2004


Question
Hi, my name is Brad Balukjian and I'm a research editor at Islands Magazine in California. I am fact-checking an article for our next issue about the private home of Emilio "Milo" Migliavacca, an Italian designer living in Bali. My question is, have you heard of the technique "Venetian terrazzo?" If so, is it an 18th century technique? As I understand it, it is a kind of mosaic flooring.

Thank you for your time. If you provide me with your mailing address, I'd be happy to mail you copies of the magazine when it comes out.

Answer
Brad:

Thanks for your question!

Terrazzo is indeed an old flooring finish system, and its roots go back to 15th Century Venice.

Essentially, terrazzo is made of marble chips set in an epoxy or mortar base, with the marble chips showing at the top.  The exposed marble chips are polished to a very smooth finish.  Often the marble is arranged in a pattern or mozaic.  Its often used in schools and other public buildings for its durability.  You've undoubtedly seen it!

"Venetian" terrazzo usually means larger chips in a thicker base.

There's a great overview of the techinque and its history at http://www.americanmarble.com/history.htm

I'd love to see the magazine when it's done.  My address is Richard Taylor Architects, 53 North High Street, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

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I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

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Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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