This is done intentionally, and repeats further throughout the installation. The main reason is it prevents long runs of grout lines. The installation will be stronger, and there’s no need for an expansion joint. Additionally, it’s harder to see if the grout joint shifts one direction or the other over a long run.

I don’t think it need to be done every fifth tile though- that’s a design choice by the installer.

Why? There's a pattern...

I find it interesting that the post itself has mostly upvotes, yet every comment I've made explaining why I don't like it is downvoted

The only thing I can think of is, maybe there used to be displays or kiosks there, and this actually created an illusion of uniformity when The offset rows were obstructed.

This looks like the intentional break of a line pattern that prevents an MC Escher type of line illusion, the kind that makes people dizzy. And it appears that it's aligned between store fronts.

Idk I like it. I wish the every 5th row was a different color at least tho

Maybe without such a pattern it become one big of the same thing. All lines are connected. And you might no longer see depth very well and get nauseous.

This might have been done to allow "get right" points. If this is down a long aisle or corridor that wasnt built perfectly straight or parrallel(or various other reasons), the break in the pattern allows for adjustments that would otherwise be highly visible if it was one continuous pattern.

This bothers me in a way flooring doesn't usually.

It's a path, you need to follow it to discover a new dimension.

This is an airport, isn't it?

My best guess: They had to do some work below the tiles in that section and just filled out in close enough.