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First Steps in Terrazzo Design

Resources and Resourcefulness in Creating the Perfect Look

Debra Babcock, Director of Interiors at Chesney Morales Partners in San Antonio since 1998, has completed four large-scale projects for Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) on sites in San Antonio and Austin over the years and is still working with them. The RBFC designs have gone from Frank Lloyd Wright-style classic to a more contemporary feel with mirrors and sparkle. The terrazzo floors have evolved right along with the designs.

 

But on Mrs. Babcock’s first foray in designing with terrazzo, she started from zero. She knew she wanted to use it but needed to find resources. While researching and looking at projects online, she realized that a terrazzo contractor, Venice Art, was in San Antonio. She contacted them.

First-hand, hands-on

“I went to pick their brains; they were a goldmine of help,” she reported. “Spending a couple of sessions at their shop lit my fire: I fell absolutely in love with it.”

The team at Venice Arts walked her through the process, showed her samples, and explained how terrazzo is made. “Getting hands on and first-hand explanations, holding the samples and materials, seeing things in person, and being able to ask questions helped so much,” she said. “They were invaluable to me. I still go by the shop sometimes.”

Then she found out that the color options are endless and anything can be matched in terrazzo, including paint deck colors. A little know-how took her a long way.

Terrazzo design by Deborah Babcock

When she designed one of RBFCU’s award-winning terrazzo installations in its San Antonio headquarters, which centered on a detailed and colorful medallion depicting icon images of local history and landmarks in the lobby of its headquarters, she worked with a graphics team. The in-house graphic designers drew the images and Mrs. Babcock specified all the sample selections and final color selections, from her growing experience in using terrazzo.

Terrazzo design by Deborah Babcock“As a designer, you’re not limited by terrazzo as a material,” she said. “While some materials might inhibit you, it lets you be an artist; it flows with you. It’s more free flowing. Yet it can also be more regimented.”

Terrazzo design by Deborah Babcock

Mrs. Babcock has found that the design concept for a space and the materials used will direct the designer in creating the terrazzo floor. “Inspiration can come from anywhere,” she observed.

On her first project with RBFCU, the client asked if they could include their logo on the first floor. The final pattern with a star and contrails emerged from those conversations. On the next headquarters design, she had already developed a palette with earth tones, and the floor design evolved from there.

In working with the client, as she presented the palettes and patterns to them, they enthusiastically affirmed her choices each time. When working on a pattern in terrazzo, she recommends combining different elements in color and patterns, as on any design project. “As for an artist, it comes together,” she concluded. “Go with your gut.”

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