Underneath/overlooked: the terrazzo floors of Fremantle

Postwar Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro, from Capo d’Orlando in Italy, founded the Universal Tile Factory in Fremantle where they produced terrazzo and concrete tiles between 1950 and 1973. These unique, ornamental tiles fortuitously survive in many local homes and public buildings.

This event offers the opportunity to tour the original Scolaro family home, which is in authentic condition and showcases a fantastic selection of terrazzo tiles throughout.

Special guest Armando Scolaro was just 12 when his parents opened Universal Terrazzo Tiles. Armando will share his memories of Giuseppe and Anna’s hard work and the labour-intensive process of making the tiles. Armando believes his parents’ efforts brought a flash of cosmopolitan modernism into Fremantle and Western Australia.

Current owners of the home, Mary Burns and Trevor Richards, will be joined by Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, whose project Underneath/Overlooked started as a search for the remaining houses and civic buildings still blessed with these special floors. Underneath/Overlooked became an exhibition celebrating Giuseppe and Anna’s contribution to the design heritage of Fremantle.

l-r: Mary Burns, Gabby Howlett, Armando Scolaro, Penny Bovell
Image: Rebecca Mansell

About Fremantle Design Week
This event is part of Fremantle Design Week, which celebrates design through an engaging program of exhibitions, talks, workshops and site visits in Fremantle from 14—21 October, 2022. The event connects audiences with designers, explores new perspectives and shares ideas for making life better. Immerse yourself in the port city - design lives here. See the full program!