Woven in Stone

When Ms. Weissman reimagined the patterns in terrazzo, she revised them to take advantage of the new material’s glossy, reflective surface. The 3,000-square-foot project was a close collaboration between artist and artisans.

Black-and-white scale drawings were enlarged to full size, placed on the floor, and the lines perforated. The designs were then transferred with spray paint through the perforations.

Zinc strips were then glued to the epoxy base, outlining and separating each of the nine colors. Next, the colors were mixed on site, applied by hand with a trowel, and left to dry before adding the next color. When all the colors were dry, the surface was ground smooth, then grouted and sealed.

The installation received a 2005 Honor Award from the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association. The association’s annual honor awards program recognizes outstanding terrazzo projects installed by its members. Projects are judged by industry peers on design, craftsmanship, and scope.

Since its installation, the flooring has been adopted by faculty and staff in unexpected ways. A dance professor assigned her students to choreograph movements across the sections of the whirlpool pattern. A museum director would begin children’s visits by stepping on a “magic carpet” into a world of art. And the red spiral details on a fine striped background in the “Symphony” design recall musical notations.