What is Palladiana Terrazzo? Check out De Brett's Hotel High Street Project.
Palladiana began in Italy. Using Marble offcuts to create a versatile and durable flooring. Our project at De Bretts Hotel and Crane Brothers in High Street Auckland show how exquisite this look can be.
What is Palladiana Terrazzo?
If you’ve ever admired a floor or wall with large, irregular pieces of marble or stone set into a smooth surface, you’ve likely seen Palladiana Terrazzo. This striking, mosaic-like finish is a unique variation of traditional terrazzo, offering a timeless yet eye-catching aesthetic.
Close up of Palladiana Terrazzo at De Bretts Hotel 2 High Street Auckland
The Origins of Palladiana Terrazzo
Palladiana Terrazzo has roots in ancient Roman and Venetian architecture. It takes its name from Andrea Palladio, a Renaissance architect known for his classical designs. This technique has been used for centuries to create elegant, long-lasting surfaces that celebrate the beauty of natural stone.
How is Palladiana Terrazzo Made?
Unlike our standard terrazzo, which uses small stone chips mixed into a cement base, Palladiana Terrazzo features larger, irregularly shaped pieces of marble, granite, or other natural stones. These pieces are hand-placed and fixed onto a prepared surface We then fill in the gaps with a cementitious flooring system. Once set, the surface is ground and polished to achieve a smooth, seamless look. This creates a durable hardwearing flooring.
What is the Difference Between Palladiana and Crazy Paving?
While Palladiana Terrazzo and crazy paving both use irregularly shaped stones, the key difference lies in their finishing and application. Our Palladiana Terrazzo is polished and set in a cement base, creating a seamless, refined surface, ideal for Commercial indoor or outdoor spaces, where you want to create an impact. Crazy paving, on the other hand, is typically left with visible grout lines and has a more rustic, textured appearance, making it popular for outdoor pathways and garden settings.
Why Choose Palladiana Terrazzo?
This terrazzo style is not just about looks—it’s also incredibly durable and versatile. Here’s why it stands out:
✅ Unique & Customizable – No two installations are the same, allowing for artistic, one-of-a-kind designs.
✅ Sustainable – Palladiana Terrazzo makes excellent use of offcuts and reclaimed stone, reducing waste.
✅ Long-Lasting – Like all terrazzo, it’s built to last, making it a smart investment for high-traffic areas.
✅ Versatile – Ideal for flooring, walls, outdoor spaces, and even feature pieces like benchtops.
Palladiana Terrzzzo with Brass Edging at DE Bretts Hotel High Street
LATEST PROJECT
De Bretts Hotel in High Street, asked us to provide a Palladiana floor, to match the one that has been in the hotel for years, and to the Crane Brothers entranceway adjacent.
At Giacon Terrazzo, we are specialists in creating high-quality, locally made terrazzo looks, including Palladiana Terrazzo. Andrew and our team cut and hand placed all the pieces to create the look they were after. Whether you're an architect or designer looking for a unique look or want us to match terrazzo in iconic buildings like De Bretts, our expert team can help you bring your stunning design to life.
Interested in learning more? Contact us today.
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Entrance at Crane Brothers High Street
10 Environmental Benefits of using Terrazzo Flooring.
What are 10 Environmental reasons to use Terrazzo flooring? Check this out and see why you should consider it. We are doing what we can to make sustainable choices.
You may or may not think that the new AI ChatGPT is a good thing for the future of humanity. I decided to give it a test run today, and asked it for 10 Environmental reasons to use Terrazzo Flooring. Here is the answer I received:
There are several environmental benefits of using Terrazzo flooring, including:
Durability: Terrazzo flooring is extremely durable and can last for many years, which reduces the need for frequent replacements and the associated environmental impact.
Recyclable: Terrazzo flooring is made from natural materials such as marble, glass, and stone, which can be recycled at the end of its life, reducing waste and the need for new resources.
Low VOC emissions: Terrazzo flooring typically has low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which improves indoor air quality and reduces the environmental impact of building materials.
Energy efficiency: Terrazzo flooring can reflect light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and saving energy.
Low maintenance: Terrazzo flooring requires minimal maintenance, reducing the use of water, energy, and cleaning products, and minimizing the environmental impact of maintenance activities.
Local materials: Terrazzo flooring can be made using locally sourced materials, reducing the environmental impact of transportation and supporting local economies.
Thermal mass: Terrazzo flooring has high thermal mass, which can help regulate indoor temperature and reduce the need for heating and cooling systems.
Natural materials: Terrazzo flooring is made from natural materials, which reduces the need for synthetic materials and their associated environmental impact.
Hygienic: Terrazzo flooring is non-porous and easy to clean, reducing the risk of mold, bacteria, and other contaminants, which can improve indoor air quality and health.
Aesthetics: Terrazzo flooring has a unique and attractive appearance, which can reduce the need for additional decorative materials and their associated environmental impact.
Overall, Terrazzo flooring can provide a range of environmental benefits, from reducing waste and energy use to supporting local economies and improving indoor air quality and health.
How can you use Architectural Precast for Retail Shops- Project Fabric Store Newmarket.
Architectural Precast Terrazzo is a perfect choice for a retail setting. It has a timeless look that only gets better with age. It is durable, solid, and easily cared for. Giacon Terrazzo work closely with designers and Architects to create something truly unique. Helping to create the image and look of a brand.
Precast Terrazzo Counter Fabric Newmarket using recycled marble offcuts.
What are the benefits of using Architectural precast over Stone or terrazzo imported slabs?
We measure and cast the items to fit exactly. This means that we produce less waste, as there are no offcuts from the manufacture.
They are made here in New Zealand, so you can buy knowing that there are less climate miles.
We can work with your designer or Architect to create something unique, to produce curves, different thicknesses, rebates for shelving and other unique features.
Terrazzo shelving unit with lights coming through
What do you need to consider when considering precast for your project?
it is important for us to be able to liaise with the designer and the cabinet maker from the beginning. The designers for the Fabric Store are Katie Lockhart Studio. Right from the beginning they engaged with us so we could work together closely to bring their vision to life.
We can consult with you and explore design colours, techniques and considerations important when using terrazzo. Undergoing the sample process. We can choose New Zealand aggregates., or look for ways to use recycled product.
Terrazzo will last the lifetime of the building. It is sustainable and refurbishable.
Terrazzo cabinet made on a frame using panels that fit together.
How can you make your name stand out in a Retail Store?
Terrazzo signs give a store an elegance. They last forever. They make a statement. For the Fabric Store we made Terrazzo letters. These were fastened to the window on the inside and the outside, to create a look that is very unique and memorable.
Fabric Sign from Terrazzo
Terrazzo panels can be made to cover cupboard doors. As we have done in the image below.
The Terrazzo creates a neutral background that allows the products to stand out.
Terrazzo precast counter low.
Finishing details. The back of the Terrazzo cabinet has been made in sections. So the store can add further shelves to it at a later date.
BACK OF THE TERRAZZO SHELVING CABINET
Terrazzo is a versatile product, that can be used in so many ways. Let us help you create your next project. Contact us for more information.
Using GRC panels to make a design statement at Balenciaga Newmarket
We are delighted to share some images of the recent project we did in the Balenciaga store in Westfields Newmarket. We created custom size Ultra High performance GRC panels that are seen throughout the store, in wall , ceiling and floor panels. They created an aesthetically pleasing ‘‘canvas’” for the designer brands products to be showcased within this fab new store.
Balenciaga store front using Giacon Terrazzo Ltds GRC panels
Our experience in designing mixes was utilised to its fullest in this project . We created an ultra high performance GFRC concrete that was thin and structurally tough. Combining durability with an aesthetic look suitable for high fashion designers Balenciaga . With this mix design we were able to manufacture panels 3.6 x 1.2 x 20mm thick.
That is a beautiful feat!
Ultra high performance GRC wall, ceiling and floor panels at Balenciaga newmarket
The project was for Dimension Shopfitters. They did a great job of bringing it all together.
casting GRC panels in our factory
The panels were all manufactured in our factory in Henderson. Using local manufacturers in the design and execution process allowed Balenciaga to create a Greener build, and reducing climate change. Increasingly we are seeing our clients asking us how we can incorporate sustainable or local materials into our processes. This is exciting. We can all do our part. Ask us today how we can help you to make a difference with your choices.
Curing the wall panels on site.