When a terrazzo mixture is poured to set in a pre-decided design, on site, in a building, it is called an in situ terrazzo feature. Metal strips are used to demarcate shapes and boundaries within an in situ terrazzo design. They are versatile, pliable, and tend to reduce the possibility of cracking. Once the metal strips are put in place, the terrazzo mixture is poured and levelled. Once it has been allowed to dry or “cure”, the surface is made uniform, and then polished and sealed. Image 1: Beacon, Colaba has a lobby richly decorated with a Greek key pattern inspired in-situ design. It sits in an arch of grey and off-white terrazzo. It encloses a more obvious terrazzo patch in the middle with large black, grey and white marble chips in its mix.

When a terrazzo mixture is poured to set in a pre-decided design, on site, in a building, it is called an in situ terrazzo feature. Metal strips are used to demarcate shapes and boundaries within an in situ terrazzo design. They are versatile, pliable, and tend to reduce the possibility of cracking. Once the metal strips are put in place, the terrazzo mixture is poured and levelled. Once it has been allowed to dry or “cure”, the surface is made uniform, and then polished and sealed. Image 2: Karfule, Ballard Estate: This 83 year old petrol pump has a beautiful 8 point star in grey marked by borders in dark green terrazzo - an ode to the Caltex logo. The metal strips that mark the layout of the design shine bright, proving that it has withstood the test of time.

When a terrazzo mixture is poured to set in a pre-decided design, on site, in a building, it is called an in situ terrazzo feature. Metal strips are used to demarcate shapes and boundaries within an in situ terrazzo design. They are versatile, pliable, and tend to reduce the possibility of cracking. Once the metal strips are put in place, the terrazzo mixture is poured and levelled. Once it has been allowed to dry or “cure”, the surface is made uniform, and then polished and sealed. Image 3: At Court View, Churchgate, the in situ terrazzo feature pays homage to the building’s former owner, Russi with a giant ‘R’ marking the spot.

Terrazzo tiles are a popular choice for flooring in most Art Deco buildings in Mumbai. They suit Mumbai’s humidity well and were inexpensive. Because their maintenance and repair costs are minimal, they are often found in common areas like entrance lobbies and landings. In many of these buildings, they serve another purpose: directionality. Terrazzo tiles have been strategically placed to indicate the direction of entry or exit or to direct people to the elevator / staircase in a building. Image 1: A contrast of light and dark sea green terrazzo triangles denote the lines of entry and exit in a lobby and the centre is marked with a diamond in a square at Kulsum Terrace, Colaba.

Terrazzo tiles are a popular choice for flooring in most Art Deco buildings in Mumbai. They suit Mumbai’s humidity well and were inexpensive. Because their maintenance and repair costs are minimal, they are often found in common areas like entrance lobbies and landings. In many of these buildings, they serve another purpose: directionality. Terrazzo tiles have been strategically placed to indicate the direction of entry or exit or to direct people to the elevator / staircase in a building. Image 2 & 3: Light and dark sea green terrazzo tiles are set as alternating arrows (chevrons) to denote lines of entry (from the doorway and towards the staircase) and exit (from the staircase and towards the doorway) at Villa Bellevue, Girgaon. The midpoint of these lines blooms into a beautiful geometric flower pattern.

Terrazzo tiles are a popular choice for flooring in most Art Deco buildings in Mumbai. They suit Mumbai’s humidity well and were inexpensive. Because their maintenance and repair costs are minimal, they are often found in common areas like entrance lobbies and landings. In many of these buildings, they serve another purpose: directionality. Terrazzo tiles have been strategically placed to indicate the direction of entry or exit or to direct people to the elevator / staircase in a building. Image 2 & 3: Light and dark sea green terrazzo tiles are set as alternating arrows (chevrons) to denote lines of entry (from the doorway and towards the staircase) and exit (from the staircase and towards the doorway) at Villa Bellevue, Girgaon. The midpoint of these lines blooms into a beautiful geometric flower pattern.