Terrazzo and Green Design Add Up at Guilford Park
The largest school in Maryland’s Howard County Public School System, Guilford Park High in Jessup, opened in 2023. Symbolizing the interweaving of cultures in the student body, a modern pinwheel pattern in its award-winning terrazzo floor provides clear direction along the corridors. The 64,200-square-foot floor exemplifies the LEED Silver-Certified County Green School’s commitment to sustainability.
A rigorous analysis of flooring options was conducted, considering initial costs, long-term operations, and energy expenses. Terrazzo emerged as the preferred choice over vinyl composition tile due to its superior lifecycle figures. One of terrazzo’s main selling points for the school district was its sustainable durability and value as a permanent flooring solution compared to flooring that has to be replaced after 10 or 20 years.
Robyn Toth of TCA Architects led the design and specification of the terrazzo flooring. With 28 years of experience, over 88 school projects, and numerous feasibility and site acquisition studies completed across the state, Ms. Toth specializes in sustainable public K-12 educational facilities.
“Terrazzo offers numerous benefits that are both fiscally and environmentally friendly,” Ms. Toth explained. “Owners can get caught up in initial costs, but when you walk them through 20 years of operating and maintenance expenses, terrazzo becomes a much stronger candidate.”
Most of a floor’s lifecycle cost is spent on long-term cleaning and maintenance. Significant savings and high return on investment stem from terrazzo’s dramatically lower maintenance costs, especially in a high-traffic environment, compared to less durable finishes like VCT. “Terrazzo is the smarter choice,” Ms. Toth emphasized. “I think of terrazzo as a timeless finish; it will last longer than the rest of the building.”
Roman Mosaic & Tile Company of Linthicum, Maryland, the terrazzo contractor, received a 2024 National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association Honor Award for this exemplary installation.
Read Similar Articles
-
Blog & News
May 15, 2025
Disaster-Proof Design
Terrazzo's Role in Resilient ConstructionIn November 2012, UCLA completed a LEED-certified modernization of its Pauley Pavilion. Around 70,000 square feet of epoxy terrazzo floors, including a floating zigzag terrazzo…
-
Blog & News
May 1, 2025
Terrazzo Tapestry: Tiffany Black’s Artistic Journey
‘Over an Arkansas Sky’ at Clinton International AirportArtist Tiffany Black’s debut in terrazzo was impressive: a design for Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas. The public art installation was her first…
-
Blog & News
April 15, 2025
Terrazzo Job of the Year 2023
An Authentic Expression of the Region at Minneapolis Convention CenterA walk through the Minneapolis Convention Center is an invitation to join in the fun of the state’s outdoor activities. The terrazzo floor artistically and…