The intervention carried out for Casa Cavazzini – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Udine concerns the redevelopment of the outdoor flooring of the courtyard, an integral part of a functional expansion of the museum within an urban context of great historical value. The building, located in the historic center of the city, features interiors characterized by marble stone cladding, while the area involved in the intervention had remained unfinished following the construction of a new wing and the installation of the elevator. The objective was to complete this transitional space with a surface capable of supporting an intense flow of visitors, while ensuring safety, material continuity and coherence with the overall architectural language of the museum.
Anti-slip flooring for high-traffic museum courtyards
The request for intervention on the flooring reached Isoplam through the construction company awarded the contract, which subsequently involved the Gherardi Architetti studio to define the final image of the courtyard. The specific requirement was to achieve outdoors an effect similar to a light-toned polished concrete, visually compatible with the museum context but with essential anti-slip characteristics for an outdoor area. Isoplam was called to intervene during an intermediate phase of the process, with the screeds already completed, contributing to the selection of the product and to the development of the final aesthetic through samples created starting from a reference provided by the architect.
Cement-based continuous coating for outdoor flooring in historic contexts
The chosen solution was Terrazzoverlay XL, a cement-based continuous coating with a thickness of approximately 3–4 cm, suitable for outdoor applications and characterized by the use of larger marble aggregates. In general terms, the system made it possible to create a continuous surface, resistant and perfectly integrated into the historic setting, entirely crafted on site according to a construction logic appreciated also by heritage protection authorities. Specifically, the material was mixed directly on site – a crucial aspect for a construction site in the historic center – combining powders, aggregates and liquid polymer, and then spread on the substrate prepared by the contractor. Installation was carried out using a screed bar followed by compaction with special rubber rollers designed to push the aggregates downward and bring the surface slurry to the top.
Anti-slip finish and technical detailing of outdoor flooring
After the curing period, the surface was processed with diamond discs to expose the aggregate and achieve an “industrial Venetian” effect, similar to brushed marble: visually refined yet slightly textured, therefore anti-slip. The finish was completed with a matte stain-resistant protective treatment for outdoor use, as specified by the designer. Particular attention was paid to slope management, essential for the correct drainage of water toward the central drain, and to visual continuity: the expansion joints of the substrate were reproduced on the surface and the inspection covers were clad with the same material, making them almost invisible.
Crafted continuous flooring for outdoor museum spaces
The work was developed in close collaboration between Isoplam, the contractor and the architect, through continuous discussion regarding samples, colors and execution methods. The selected light tone, designed to recall a slab of polished concrete, creates a balanced contrast with the surrounding masonry and enhances the role of the courtyard as a threshold space for the museum. The intervention can be defined as a highly specialized on-site construction, entirely executed in place to respond to logistical and conservation constraints, and it also initiated further collaborations both with the contractor and with the design team.
