Secret Garden

Julie W Chang’s Secret Garden terrazzo floor, located at the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, is a vivid celebration of color, pattern, and cultural storytelling. Covering 26,000 square feet of the Main Hall, the intricate design was part of the decade-long construction project spanning five blocks and serving as a major hub for regional transportation. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese folk art, European textiles, and contemporary design aesthetics, Chang weaves a dynamic narrative that speaks to San Francisco's diverse heritage. The floor features an interplay of floral motifs and geometric patterns, evoking a garden that blooms with multicultural symbolism. Embedded within the design are hidden elements—images of birds, insects, and abstract shapes—that invite viewers to discover new details with every glance. Winner of the 2019 National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association Job of the Year. Winner of the Public Art Network Best in Public Projects Year in Review by Americans for the Arts.

Flower-like rings might reference Indian block printing or Scandinavian needlework, cloud-like curves to Chinese embroidery or Japanese crests, dotted diamonds to African textiles or Native American weaving, star and cross motifs to early American quilting or Islamic geometric design. Winner of the 2019 National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association Job of the Year. Winner of the Public Art Network Best in Public Projects Year in Review by Americans for the Arts.

The white Victorian band joins past and present together and references San Francisco’s architectural heritage. Mined from the local ecology, California poppies, laurels, and hummingbirds, highlighted by mirrored glass, sparkle throughout. Further integrated into the design is a subtle overlay of bronze and zinc icons and patterns, which are drawn from the rich diversity of people and cultures across the Bay Area. Flower-like rings might reference Indian block printing or Scandinavian needlework, cloud-like curves to Chinese embroidery or Japanese crests, dotted diamonds to African textiles or Native American weaving, star and cross motifs to early American quilting or Islamic geometric design. Winner of the 2019 National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association Job of the Year. Winner of the Public Art Network Best in Public Projects Year in Review by Americans for the Arts