Disaster-Proof Design

However, the terrazzo at Pauley emerged nearly unscathed, requiring only a repolish to restore it to like-new condition. This outstanding capacity to withstand such devastation demonstrates terrazzo’s value as a resilient building material that reduces loss and contributes to long-term sustainability. Terrazzo’s long lifespan—often several decades or more—means fewer replacements and repairs and a lower environmental impact, whether or not it is exposed to extreme conditions.

In the face of natural and infrastructure-related disasters, the National Institute for Building Sciences (NIBS) advocates using such climate-resilient building materials. Their construction standards reduce waste, conserve resources, and improve sustainability in the built environment. NIBS research shows that for every $1 invested in disaster mitigation aligned with the latest building codes, between $6 and $11 can be saved in future disaster-related costs.