Client: Winona State University

Overview

Artists Carolyn Braaksma and Brad Kaspari collaborated to design and fabricate a terrazzo art floor for the Education Department at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. The design uses pathways to bring visual structure and lead pedestrians through the space. Detailed visual elements and extensive quotations refer to learning as a way of defining ones path through life.

Scattered along the paths are intricate visual elements; the in-house metal fabrication provided by Kaspari Design allowed for an intense level of detail in the pre-assembled sections and an interesting interplay of various materials.

Goals

The challenge was to bring visual structure to the floor of the main entrance lobby which connects two buildings. The art terrazzo does this by using “pathways” to mirror pedestrian flows through the space. These paths energize the space through their visual activity and refer to learning as a way of defining ones path through life. The paths are also interactive as they draw children (and adults) into and through the space.

Process

The many quotes in the floor were generated in collaboration with WSU Education staff. They refer to education in its various forms, with a particular emphasis on reading.