National City Library
National City, California
W
hen Carrier Johnson architects set out to find a flooring finish to complement the firm’s design for this
new library, the original choice was terrazzo. Terrazzo turned out to be too expensive for the library
budget. The criterion for the project was to find a finish with “durability in a civic presence.”
Durability was the main concern. The library is designed to last 50 years or more. Lithocrete® was
suggested as a cost alternative to terrazzo and the designers were ecstatic. The Lithocrete® alternative turned out to be
even better suited for the project than terrazzo. Lithocrete® has “a look that went along with the concept of the building.”
Carrier Johnson also discovered that they were able to customize the materials to complement their building design.
The designers chose a mixture of Indonesian green rock, tumbled beach glass, pyrite, and abalone shells. With decorative
Lithocrete® bands on the exterior flatwork of the building, and Lithocrete® on the inside, the architects were able to take
the same flooring they used on the exterior and continue their design within the interior of the library.
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Monolithic 4 inch poured Lithocrete®.
Stained bands create illusion of separate
pours.
Lithocrete_book_trademark_edited.indd 31
Minimized maintenance, no topical sealer required.
Highly reflective floor minimizes lighting
needs.
1/2/2008 8:23:12 AM