A composite flooring system, and method of manufacture, including a multi-element flooring diaphragm including a plurality of self-spacing surface elements mounted above a semi-rigid substrate surface using a plurality of flexible adhesive support cushions that define an air space between the multi-element flooring diaphragm and the semi-rigid substrate surface, wherein outer edge surfaces of the self-spacing surface elements are beveled and flexible surface joints of v-shaped cross-section formed between abutting self-spacing surface elements, and wherein the combination of rigid or semi-rigid self-spacing surface elements and the flexible surface joints form a substantially waterproof diaphragm as a finished surface.