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The layers and the beating

D.02Cocciopesto floor (opus signinum)
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How this node works

The floor is built up in coats on a sound substrate: a bonding scratch coat, a coarser base of lime and crushed brick, then a fine layer. Each is beaten at length - hence battuto - to compact it and drive out the air that would weaken it. Marble chips can be scattered onto the fine layer and beaten in, terrazzo-fashion, before the whole surface is ground flat and waxed to a soft, deep sheen.

Key points

  • Scratch / bond coat
  • Base coat (coarse brick)
  • Fine layer
  • Marble chips
  • Beating (compacts)
  • Sowing the chips

Conceptual, language-neutral drawing for study and orientation — not an execution drawing. Dimensions and verifications belong to the designer.

The layers and the beating — Cocciopesto floor (opus signinum) | Architheca