In spite of a condensed construction schedule due to Mardi Gras season, Terrazzo Masters successfully completed a four-part terrazzo installation on the foyer, stair lobby, monumental helical stair, and the second floor of The Advocate newspaper headquarters. Terrazzo Masters’ work on this project transformed the historic building into a contemporary workplace, while remaining respectful of its original historic splendor. A significant challenge to staying on schedule was moving the prep, layout, installation, grinding, and finishing work crews around the building as efficiently as possible to keep projects progressing. Intricate terrazzo patterns were required in the foyer floor, achieved with templated geometric design, and applied to the concrete slab using a plywood pattern board and plastic templates. Next up was the stair lobby: utilizing a 24” grid developed from the designer’s “free form” layout, points were plotted to locate divider strips that were hand-bent in the field for the expansive ribbon pattern that would go on to highlight the room. The stairs themselves presented a unique challenge, as the treads had to be field adjusted and trimmed due to a twisted condition in the steel structure––which meant Terrazzo Masters’ crew was carrying steel pieces up and down the stairs as the fitting and cutting progressed. The final and fourth part of the project was the second floor ramps and landings, which were installed, ground and polished into place. Each of the four parts of this project utilized five-color terrazzo formulas that included recycled crystal glass and natural marble to ensure that the building remained a sustainable, green-footprint community center in the heart of New Orleans.

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