I recently attended the ‘Natural Materials’ Workshop, run on the Gold Coast by Rockcote and have left with not only a deeper appreciation of the clay and lime materials used in a variety of the renders but the art of the application by the artisan.

The textural beauty of these natural materials is captured in these ancient render systems, which have been used for thousands of years and recently bought back to modern use with by the skill of trained artisans. In Europe and Japan, these decorative finishes have been used for centuries with the skills often being passed down generations and the materials and trade secrets being highly valued. The modern day ‘Artisans’ who are trained to develop the unique characteristics of each material use these materials and transform them into works of art.

There are numerous benefits for using these natural materials over the more common cement and acrylic based ones. Mainly, they are from nature and inherently allow walls to breathe and moisture to move through them as well as repel dust being negatively charged. They avoid harmful and unnecessary chemicals. In the spaces these natural renders are used in provide a more harmonious, healthier and beautiful environment for people to live in. Different application techniques can be used to provide an aesthetic that can range from an earthy, rustic, natural texture to a smooth, lustrous finish and the more polished, plaster finish.

Clay renders are generally easier to apply, breathable, negatively charged (like the ocean), affordable and durable. The range includes a finer Clay Plaster Décor then grade up to medium to course Earthern Renders. These clay renders can be only used internally and suitable for seamless walls, fireplace and feature walls. They are available in a range of colours from natural white to most tinted shades making it a very versatile material.

The Lime renders are extra versatile and durable as well as being moisture resistant and able to be used in wet areas. As well, they are carbon neutral, biodegradable and recyclable making them an excellent selection for any building work. The Venetian Plaster has a luminous shine and can be made to look like polished cement and marble and can be made to be dramatic and very polished. The Marrakesh is like the traditional Tadelakt and Moroccan plaster finishes and provides a smooth, lustrous finish that can achieve flowing, seamless curves. Its surprising elegant and can be used in most applications due to it being water resistant, including shower areas yet is the most expensive finish. The Lime Plaster Basecote is another with a European-inspired, rustic finish and can be finished with the Lime Wash paints to be used in most applications also being lime based.

An interesting combination of mainly clay and lime render combination is the Otsumigaki (‘Otsu’ for short), which is developed from Japanese plasters and offers a smooth, soft subtle lustre and textural patina. It is used only internally as contains only a small amount of lime. The Velvetino is also another Italian inspired render with a strong, velvety finish which can be made to look like stone and produce a lightly polished, natural look.

Having previously used the Clay Plaster Décor with hemp at home during renovations as well as in a new Administration building in a new school opened this year it has been an easy, affordable and beautiful healthy material to use. It has proved to be low maintenance even with children at home. I’ve also used the Lime Plaster Basecoat & Lime Wash at this school and able to closely match the school’s colours to the oxides used to achieve the colours for the Lime Wash. These materials have been used in many residential & commercial spaces with add on benefits such as one Hotel in Canberra having noted a reduction in cleaning costs by 80% due to healthier internal spaces requiring less maintenance.

It has been a great experience to learn more about the materials in a hands-on workshop and what can be achieved. As well, having done the clay render at home before this workshop, it was definitely useful to see the process first and I definitely have an appreciation for the artisans and how they can take these materials to the next level. I would highly recommend anyone looking to renovate or build to investigate these materials further. For more information on these Natural Materials from Rockcote follow this link: https://www.rockcote.com.au/ranges/natural-materials.