Terminal Flooring
- Description: The passenger terminal floor at ACV is made of terrazzo and features curved lines designed to resemble a topographic map. The pattern depicts the nearby coastline and local geography, creating a subtle sense of place throughout the terminal. Near the security screening area, a small aluminum inlay labeled “ACV Airport” is embedded in the floor and oriented to reflect the actual coastline.
- Location: Main terminal, California Redwood Coast–Humboldt County Airport (ACV)
The passenger terminal floor at the California Redwood Coast–Humboldt County Airport (ACV) is constructed of terrazzo, a flooring material selected for its durability, ease of maintenance, and long-standing use in public buildings worldwide. Terrazzo also allows for artistic expression, as it can be shaped into flowing forms and produced in a wide range of colors and textures.
In the ACV terminal, the terrazzo design is intentionally artistic and interactive. The pattern is composed of broad, gently curved lines arranged to resemble a topographic map inspired by aviation charts of the nearby coastline. As travelers move through the terminal, the lines subtly change, suggesting movement, direction, and connection to the region’s geography.
A notable feature of the floor is an aluminum inlay located just outside the security screening area. The inlay is labeled “ACV Airport” and is oriented to match the actual alignment of the coastline. From this location, an observant viewer can see all terminal entrances and exits, reinforcing a spatial relationship between the building and the surrounding landscape.
The terrazzo floor is smooth, level, and continuous throughout the terminal, supporting accessibility and ease of movement while integrating art directly into the architectural experience.
The terrazzo floor design was developed during the planning of the new ACV passenger terminal as part of a broader effort to incorporate thoughtful art and design into the building. The design team drew inspiration from aviation charts of the local coastline, translating those maps into a large-scale floor pattern that reflects both place and the concept of flight.
Achieving a balance between artistic meaning and constructability required extensive collaboration and refinement. The design team produced twenty-two pattern studies before selecting a layout that could be accurately bid and built while remaining true to its conceptual intent. After a contractor was selected, the design underwent seven additional cycles of submittal review before final approval for installation.
At the same time the terrazzo floor was being designed and constructed, the terminal was prepared to support the display of public art. This preparation included reinforcing walls for mounted artwork, installing specialized lighting and electrical services, and placing pedestals for three-dimensional pieces. A public-private agreement governing artwork display was finalized shortly before the terminal opened, enabling the space to function as both a transportation facility and a civic cultural environment.
Together, the terrazzo floor and the terminal’s art infrastructure reflect a shared belief that public buildings should be designed with care, using art and architecture to create welcoming spaces that foster connection, belonging, and a sense of place within the community.