Today we can create Roman-style mosaics with new building materials. For example, with synthetic resins. These resins allow designs that would have been prohibitively expensive only a few years ago. Now all we have to do is choose the right colours, as the binder will be transparent and porous. Therefore, we will never have puddles in front of our door if we have prepared the base correctly.
However, sometimes we forget that behind a great project, in this case, a great Roman mosaic, there are usually great professionals. What seemed easy, in reality is not. Therefore, new pavements will be a failure if we do not have engineering that has taken meteorology into consideration when designing them.
In short, for a mosaic to be installed successfully, it requires an adequate study of the soil, the conditions of water drainage or conduction, its bearing capacity and even the possible channelling that may pass underneath and that may condition it.
Access to new technologies should not confuse us. After all, yes, construction technology is at the service of everyone… but it will do us a better service if we have the right professional advice.
By Jorge Laguna, head of the structures section of Amusement Logic’s Architecture Department.
