Terrazzo: a polished concrete renaissance

Bespoke concrete specialist Lazenby introduced its cutting edge Terrazzo system in 2021 to meet a growing need for attractive and bespoke flooring.

Since then it has featured in high-profile projects, including The Bailey London office development and the London School of Economic’s £92 million Marshall Building.

The Terrazzo system offers unparalleled aesthetics and opportunities for customisation and has one major advantage: Lazenby can alter the dominant colour for any project specification by hand mixing aggregates and cement binders.

While The Bailey project incorporates lighter Off White and marble tones, diamond polished to an elegant finish, the Marshall Building, with over 1000m² of Terrazzo, utilises multiple different mixes and geometric shapes to form a feature pattern.

Both sites have enhanced their Terrazzo with a bespoke trim incorporated into the floor: brass for the luxurious finish at The Bailey; bold aluminium for the Marshall Building’s utilitarian aesthetic. 

Lazenby’s Terrazzo system is an adaptable flooring system with unlimited design possibilities matched by its structural benefits. The composite material can be laid at thicknesses from 7-40mm and is suitable for older properties as well as new builds.

The resulting surface is a versatile solution for complex historic redevelopments. The Bailey's original block and beam floor had wide ranging depths that required a combination of low-shrink concrete and Terrazzo.

Despite its slim profile, the cementitious system is as durable and hardwearing as a traditional polished concrete floor and is ideal for high-traffic commercial spaces such as busy receptions and public areas.

By incorporating underfloor heating into the flooring system, larger buildings can achieve increased thermal efficiency through a streamlined installation process.

As an all-service contractor, Lazenby can handle these multiple project elements, from floor design to subfloor fitting; and underfloor heating to the Terrazzo system. It carried out all four on the Marshall Building. 'Lazenby is happy to take that pressure off main contractors,' says managing director Ed Lazenby. 

The Terrazzo system on the scale of the Marshall Building is, he says, an unusual but prime example of practical intention (for a student-led environment) and ingenious design (by RIBA Stirling Prize winners Grafton Architects). 'The project was unbelievable with its unique helical staircase going over five floors and a Terrazzo bench that was 24 metres long.'

By extending the aesthetic beyond the floor and into staircases and feature furniture, the Terrazzo system enables architects to design commercial interiors that combine cohesive aesthetics, structural simplicity and longevity.

'One of the most enjoyable parts about my job is having an opportunity to look at new products and systems,' says Lazenby. 'A product like this has been years in the making.'

Find out more about Lazenby's Terrazzo system at lazenby.co.uk/terrazzo

For more information and technical support, visit lazenby.co.uk

Contact:
01935 700306
info@lazenby.co.uk