The Art of Terrazzo
The use of terrazzo as decorative art has seen a strong resurgence in recent years. The above video is an example of an exciting recent work.
In South Florida, Mid Century Modern Architecture has become wildly popular. The style is modern, sleek, clean and elegant. Terrazzo was a key feature in the design
of the South Florida Mid Century Modern home. Where did this beautiful and innovative style come from?
In the 1920’s and 1950’s, the Buahaus movement led by Mies Van der Rohe from Germany was sweeping the nation. As somewhat of an antithesis to the ornate style of the the Art Deco period, which harkened back to classical forms from ancient Greece and Egypt, the Bauhaus style featured clean, straight horizontal and vertical lines, with no embellishments. Owing to the emerging steel technologies, Bauhaus architects were able to create large open spaces with vast windows, giving the impression of blurred lines between indoors and outdoors.
Simultaneously, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prarie style was impacting new home building throughout the nation. His style too, emphasized the blurring of lines between outside and inside, and emphasized horizontal lines. To create a sense of being outdoors while in the structure, both used natural materials such as terrazzo floors for the indoor spaces.
These elements became commercially popular in home building in the 50’s and 60’s in South Florida. The result was Mid-Century Modern architecture with it’s beautiful clean lines and natural indoor spaces.
When you think of preserving your terrazzo floors in your South Florida home, you not only protect your investment, as terrazzo floors are quite valuable, but you are helping to preserve an important movement in Modern American architecture.
At Colonial Floor Care, we understand that restoring your terrazzo floors is a practical as well as artistic endeavor.
I hope you enjoyed this info!