NTMA Awards:

Richmond International AirportHonor Award

Architect: Richmond International Airport, Richmond, VA

Terrazzo Contractor: David Allen Company, Inc. Raleigh, NC


2,000 sq. ft. of 3/8” epoxy terrazzo is the main design element for the Concourse Expansion project at Richmond International Airport.  This project was the first phase in a multi-project expansion program currently underway at Richmond.  Durable floor coverings are a typical need in airports where high amounts of wheeled and foot traffic test the limits of most materials.  Epoxy terrazzo was the material of choice to achieve a highly durable, low maintenance and design flexible flooring.  The palette of five colors utilizes three shades of grey with brick red and navy blue accents.  This palette draws from the vernacular colors of the region.  Central Virginia, and Richmond itself is rich with red brick and stone structures and numerous natural waterways from the James River to the Chesapeake Bay  The geometric patterning incorporates design elements from the existing award-winning parking garages and introduces elements of palette and pattern, which will be seen in the future phases of expansion.  These elements and colors were used to create a vibrant floor pattern leading passengers through the concourse and providing markers at main decision points.  Mother of pearl and glass chips provide a dressy glint and create depth within a color and 1/4” aluminum divider strips provide a crisp out-line to the geometric pattern elements.  Overall, the use of terrazzo was key to Greham Smith and Partners achieving the goal of creating a crisp, clean, and timeless flooring design with easy maintenance over a large area.




Boise Airport Passenger TerminalHonor Award

Architect: CSHQA, Boise, Idaho

Terrazzo Contractor: Roman Mosaic and Tile Co. West Chester, Pennsylvania

Designer/Artist: Elizabeth Wolf, Boise, Idaho


Terrazzo was the flooring of choice for the Boise Airport terminal because it is durable and allows for many design possibilities.  An airport terminal has a large amount of foot traffic, which necessitates a durable floor covering.  The Boise Airport is owned by the City of Boise, and although public funds did not pay for the new terminal or the airport’s overall expansion, the Airport Commission felt it was particularly important to show fiscal responsibility in using their funds.  the higher initial installation cost of terrazzo was offset by inexpensive and easy daily maintenance  Most likely the floor will never have to be replaced.

Terrazzo’s other attractive feature is its design flexibility.  From the earliest conceptions the architects had pictured a floor that looked like a flowing river.  The city wanted the new terminal to be a gateway to the city and surrounding area, so the terminal was designed to reflect its setting - a river valley. Wide-open spaces and expressive architectural elements (including the undulating curves reflected in the ceiling soffits and in the terrazzo flooring pattern) flow from one functional space to another in a sequential order that instinctively guides a passenger through the building. In addition, the Airport Commission identified the circular portion of the floor under the three-story rotunda as a key focal point in the newly designed building.  The artist-designed medallion image visually represents Boise and Idaho as a regional hub and provides directional orientation.  In the center of the design, Idaho and contiguous sites are outlined as if on a map.  the state flower, syringa, and the state bird, the mountain bluebird, are integrated into the image.  Around the edge of the circle is a flowing river

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