Natural Plasters 

​

Background: 

• Historically earth & lime plasters has been used almost  universally for thousands of years in China, India, Mesoamerica, ancient Greece & Roman times.  

• More locally historically in Southern Africa, earthen plasters are still commonly used in rural traditional to  where often cow dung is added for waterproofing. Lime was traditionally used to plaster settler buildings when available, otherwise earthen plasters were simply lime-washed on a regular basis.  

• Recently they have come back into fashion having been recognized for their importance in heritage building protection as well hell as heath due to their ability to breath, absorbing & regulating moisture. 

 

​

Technical information: 

• Earthen & lime-based plasters are ideal for plastering onto any earth or straw baaed types of construction, which need to breathe  

• Ideally earthen plasters can be reinforced with fine fibres, such as shredded straw, hemp fibre, cellulose pulp, sisal, bamboo shavings, rice husk cow dung etc. 

• Earthen plasters, while easily replenished, are less durable and thus prone to increased maintenance. 

• Lime plasters while initially softer than cement plasters continue to harden over time.  

• Lime takes 3 times longer to cure than cement and so needs extra protection in the beginning.  

 

 

​

Benefits:

• They help reduce the carbon footprint construction    

• Reduced humidity extremes of the building structure due to the plasters hydroscopic qualities.  

• Ecologically friendly they help create healthy spaces. 

• Can be used to create beautiful, natural finishes. 

• Casein fresco-based techniques are extremely durable. 

 

​

Company Track record/some examples of works: 

• House McMichael, Scarborough, CT, 2022-23 

• Technical consultant & ECD Centre for CNNIA Architects &  VPUU in Delft, Cape Town, 2021 

• TWK Resource Centre Training Rooms for CNNIA Architects & VPUU in Villiersdorp, Western Cape. 2017-2018 

• House Wolf, Bokaap, Cape Town, 2014  

• Alterations & Additions to House Bezuidenhout, Pinelands Cape Town, 2012 – 2013 

• Starflower Project house & conference/training facility consulting & workshops, Midrand, Gauteng, 2012 

• OR Tambo Narrative & Environmental Centre - Consulting, Leeupan, Johannesburg, 2010 – 2012 

• Mamre Heritage Revitalization Project for City of Cape Town, Mamre Western Cape, 2010-2011  

• House Eglin, Gqunube Green Eco Village, East London, 2009 - 2011

• Block B of Seven Fountains Primary School for Oprah’s Angel Network & East Coast Architects, in Kokstad, KZN, 2006-2007 

• Upgrade of Nieuwoudtville Caravan Park, Namaqualand, 2004-2007 (Won Silver 2005 in the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction in the Africa Middle East region).