Mosaic tiles, as an ancient form of decorative art, have evolved over thousands of years, from religious temples to modern urban landmarks, and have always been closely connected to public buildings. It not only carries human pursuit of aesthetics, but also becomes an important element in public space design with its unique physical properties and design flexibility.

1、 Historical Evolution: From Sacred to Public

The history of mosaics can be traced back to the Bronze Age of ancient Greece, where natural pebbles were used to lay the ground in the early stages, and gradually developed into patterns made of colored stones. During the Roman Empire, mosaic technology was widely applied to the floors and walls of residential and public buildings, such as the "Beware of Dogs" painting in Pompeii, which vividly recorded the scenes of citizens' lives at that time. During the Byzantine period, mosaic art was combined with religion, and gold foil glass inlays were extensively used in churches, such as the San Vito Church in Ravenna, Italy, which integrated politics and faith into architecture by depicting portraits of Justinian I and Empress Theodora.

In modern times, mosaics have shifted from religious symbols to popularization. In the 1980s, it became a commonly used material for public facilities such as hospitals and stations due to its wear-resistant and anti slip properties, and with technological progress, various materials such as ceramics, glass, and metal were derived to meet a wider range of needs.

2、 Functional advantages in public buildings

Adapting physical performance to public needs

Public buildings have a high flow of people and require materials with extremely high wear resistance, slip resistance, and cleaning convenience. Mosaic tiles are an ideal choice for places such as subway stations, museums, hospitals, etc. due to their high density, low water absorption rate (such as ceramic mosaic with a water absorption rate of only 0.1% -0.5%), and anti fouling properties of the surface glaze layer. For example, Chongqing once restricted the use of porcelain veneer materials for exterior walls due to safety concerns, but mosaics were still preserved in indoor public areas through optimized processes.

Diversity of artistic expression

The small unit characteristics of mosaics (common sizes ranging from 10mm × 10mm to 30mm × 30mm) enable them to be flexibly combined into gradient, geometric, or narrative patterns. The exterior walls of Viridi Apartments in Melbourne, Australia are made of 15000 customized terracotta mosaics. Through 3D modeling to simulate lighting changes, a dynamic forest green facade is formed, which not only echoes the surrounding park landscape but also becomes a visual landmark of the city.

Safety and Sustainability

Modern mosaics often use non radioactive and environmentally friendly materials, such as glass, recycled ceramics, etc. Viridi Apartments showcase the potential of mosaic in green buildings through double-layer glass windows, insulated facades, and a 7-star ESD environmental rating. In addition, its anti slip performance is particularly important in humid environments such as swimming pools and bath centers.