The art of the Venetian Floors (terrazzo) or Seminato with marble grit was discovered during the XVIth century in Venice. Even the masters of this antique production couldn’t ever have imagined the great interest which was to develop in the following centuries. They enriched the most elegant and most magnificent buildings using these poor materials. One of the most important elements used for the Venetian Floors was the antique art of chromatics with marble. Even though the origins are Venetian, today this type of floor is present just about everywhere, especially in Genova. Infact, Genova is re-known for its particular decorations, and this is how the “Genovese floors” name was given.

This method can be divided in four phases:

How to obtain the foundation (phase 1)

In order to obtain the foundation, a mixture of cocciopesto and sand is needed – with granulometries which vary from 4mm to 12mm in size – this in then mixed in with the cement. After laying down the mixture, the flattening procedure follows using a roller (around 90 kg) and an iron (metallic bar with a handle). After, this procedure is again repeated and is followed by another pressing which prepares it for the setting of the mosaic decorations.

Marking out the decorations (phase 2)

The decorations are drawn firstly on tracing paper, and this is then perforated and settled onto the foundation. Afterwards white lime is deposited into the openings using the sprinkling technique, and the paper is removed. On the “sprinkling” (spolvero) layout of the design, the paste is laid down which holds the marble cubes in place. The decorations are normally carried out directly on the spot, but sometimes when they’re more complex they are done in a laboratory on a glass fibre net. Afterwards the cement and grit is applied. A flattening procedure using a roller is used to consolidate the grit and eliminate any excess cement.

Preparation of the semina bed (phase 3)

After the setting of the decorations we procede with the laying down of a semina bed made from lime, sand and grounded bricks. The bed can be in a powder form with a thickness of around 1.5 to 3cm (instead of a paste). The grit is laid down in three separate phases on top of this layer: the first using a large quantity of granulometries; the second with a medium amount, and the final phase using a smaller amount. In this way all of the mixture is compressed. Finally, this is pressed with a roller to consolidate the grit and the foundation.

Smoothing (phase 4)

Dealing with mosaic floors in lime, the drying process requires around thirty days. After this time the smoothing procedure follows. Subsequently, the linseed oil is applied once the flooris dry, and finally after a short period of time the refinement and shining (with wax or lead) procedure takes place.

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