St. Joan of Arc Church, Indianapolis, IN
When St. Joan of Arc church in Indianapolis was designed and built, the plan called for terrazzo flooring. But the Great Depression of the 1930s forced some adjustments. They spent their money on exquisite mosaics and impressive columns. Battleship linoleum won out over terrazzo.
By its centenary celebration, St. Joan of Arc Parish knew that a major repair and restoration of its church was needed. This time around, they decided to honor the original design by installing a new terrazzo floor. The linoleum (and accompanying asbestos) was carefully removed and replaced with 8,500 square feet of 3/8-inch epoxy terrazzo.
The new floor features six colors and a unique water jet fleur-de-lis. Lighter colors highlight the aisles, with darker colors under the pews. A process known as vitrification, which strengthens and protects terrazzo, creates a durable surface with an extra shine. Although the original design specified 1/4-inch brass strips at 4-inch by 4-inch center design, the restoration design uses 15-foot by 15-foot spacing on the columns and concrete control joint spacing, enhancing the overall look.
The new terrazzo floor completes the original design and matches the grandeur and beauty of the colorful mosaics and limestone columns, making the renewed St. Joan of Arc church an uplifting space that will serve its parishioners for the next 100 years.
Project details
- Location: Indianapolis, IN
- Project Name: St. Joan of Arc Church
- Owner/Client: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Terrazzo Contractor: Santarossa Tile & Mosaic Co., Inc.
- Architect: Schmidt Associates
- General Contractor: Brandt Construction
- Terrazzo Material Supplier: Terrazzo & Marble Supply Co.
and Klein and Company, Inc. - Divider Strip Supplier: Manhattan American Terrazzo Supply Co.
- Photography: Viken Djaferian, FotoGrafix