Sergey Estrin, architect, founder of Serfey EstrinArchitectural Studio

Sergey, is the terrazzo, a seamless mosaic floor with antique history applicable in our climate?
The Venetian terrazzo is the optimum floor covering in our central strip. Especially, of course, in public areas. When nine months of the year are either wet or dirty, or both, the tree is quickly “killed”, carpets put in pointlessly, and ceramic or granite floors immediately make the space look like a shopping center. It’s even strange to me that a terrazzo has been coming to our country for so long. We have been using this material in our projects for a long time. I was convinced of his merits during his trips to Venice, where the floors of terrazzo in the skuoles, palazzo and museums perfectly withstand the load for many centuries.

What are the main advantages of a terrazzo?
Very few materials in which different color solutions in one scale structure can be displayed on the same level with a single surface. Terrazzo is durable and almost does not wear off with time. I am attracted by the opportunity to create extended surfaces, there is no need to adhere to any kind of grid, rectangular, for example, there are no “surplus” materials and additional costs associated with this. It is poured in the right amount and polished. Yes, there are deformation seams, but they are interesting to combine with the chosen pattern – to make brass, aluminum inserts. Terrazzo fits perfectly with any other flooring.

Main advantage of the terrazzo?
Predictability is one of the main advantages of  terrazzo. This material allows you to create color-predictable large surfaces. On the model you get exactly what you need, without overflows and unexpected shades. There is a color – the base, in which the necessary amount of marble fragments of the desired shade is added. Then everything depends on the taste and ideas of the architect.

Who lays the terrazzo in the designs of your workshop?
Terrazzo is laid by Italians together with Russian apprentices. However, there are many companies on the market that offer material under the same name, but are cheaper. They show remarkable patterns, but when it comes to business – they can not repeat their pattern on the object. As a result, it looks worse than linoleum.

How to distinguish a fake terrazzo from the present?
On a finished object, this is easy to do. Grayish colors predominate when the main component is not marble, but cement mortar, the material is not sufficiently rigid and, finally, has the wrong shade that was on the sample.

Why is terrazzo so expensive?
The difference in cost depends on whether you want to lay some complicated pattern, or limit yourself to a single-colored floor. Yes, terrazzo is expensive. The thing is that on the one hand, you have to import marble granules, on the other, to ensure quality assurance, the participation of Italian masters is necessary. In addition, it all depends on what to compare with. If the linoleum or laminate – yes, expensive, but if with a decorative stone or art parquet – another question. Any complicated decorative solution is always not cheap.