Clayworks: Using Natural Clay Plasters for Calm and Low-Impact Interiors

Clay plasters have been used extensively in buildings around the world for thousands of years. If sourced correctly, they are sustainable, low carbon, and among the healthiest wall finishes available.

Clayworks is a British brand that offers a range of natural clay plasters to achieve a smooth, tonal, or rustic appearance across a mix of interior applications.

As both a creative practice and a research laboratory, as well as a manufacturing facility, we were thrilled to be invited to their Cornwall showroom on the rugged and beautiful southwest coast of England. Here, they mix their plasters from blends of unfired clays with minerals and pigments, resulting in a variety of breathable finishes for interior walls and ceilings.

Custom Rough-with-the-Smooth finish. Photo courtesy of Taran Wilkhu

Classic Smooth & Rustic finish. Photo courtesy of Jasper Carlberg

Founded by Iowan-native Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, the company was born from a passion for natural building practices and a love of nature. The couple traveled the world to learn about the traditions of clay as a building material while running a small company specializing in cob, wood, stone, clay, and lime.

“Our vision was to explore the use of natural materials in architecture as mediums to foster a balance that is healthy for the environment and the user while beautiful in design,” explains Weismann. “This led us to develop a particular fascination with clay and its aesthetic and performance qualities.”

Application of clay plaster. Photo's courtesy of Clayworks

Weismann and Bryce spent years studying and learning from master plasterers around the world. Today, their company produces an extensive range of finishes in over 80 colors, made from local and plentiful raw materials. These are all recyclable, compostable, reusable, and contain no toxic ingredients, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), or synthetics.

“Build your architecture from what is beneath your feet.”

Hassan Fathy, an architect for the people

Using the right tools, plaster can be applied to mimic different types of stone or concrete. These natural products are designed as an alternative to gypsum plasters or paints while helping to regulate humidity and absorb toxins and odors.

“It’s stark how the environments we inhabit affect our overall health and well-being,” says Bryce. “In line with the principles of the WELL Building Standard, certain natural materials present the opportunity to directly improve our physiology, health, and comfort.”

The sample shop at Clayworks is a celebration of everything that is aesthetically unique (and possible) with clay plasters, where their team experiments and mixes new and custom finishes for clients internationally. “We can play with depth, colour, texture, and pattern – the possibilities are endless,” says Weismann.

Classic options range from Smooth, which has a fine finish, cloudy tone, and produces beautifully textured walls, to Rustic, which is rich in character and tonal variation, with varying degrees of coarseness.

Their rammed earth finish, recently used at home goods store Fellow on Abbott Kinney in Los Angeles, recreates an ancient building technique. This surface material feels raw and monolithic, with textured layers stacked to form bands of different hues. Applied at a depth of around 3/8”, it also contributes to the performance of the building fabric – softening acoustics and thermal variations, moisture control, and breathability.

Thank you to Clayworks for the inspiring visit. We’ve included a few homes, stores, and wellness spas that showcase their products here.

Photography: Taran Wilkhu, Jasper Carlberg, Edvinas Bruzas, Toby Mitchell, Aesop Skincare, Edward Sumner, Petr Krejci, Clayworks.

The Cloud House, designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects. Finish is Clayworks' Classic Smooth Top Coat. Photo courtesy of Taran Wilkhu

Forest House Skye, designed by Room Studio. Finish is Clayworks' Smooth. Photo courtesy of Toby Mitchell

Ffern Store, designed by House of Grey. Finish is Clayworks' Smooth White. Photo courtesy of Edvinas Bruzas

Bamford Spa, designed by Crawford and Gray. Finish is Clayworks' Classic Smooth and Demi Rustic. Photo courtesy of Bamford

Aesop Store, Duke of York Square designed by Snøhetta. Finish is Clayworks' Custom Ombre Texture. Photo courtesy of Aesop Skincare

Residential staircase, designed by House of Grey. Finish is Clayworks' Classic Smooth. Photo courtesy of Pierce Scourfield

Benchmark Furniture stageset. Photo courtesy of Petr Krejci

Fellow Store in LA, designed by Studio Mai. Finish is Clayworks' Rammed Earth. Photo courtesy of Edward Sumner

Fellow Store in LA, designed by Studio Mai. Finish is Clayworks' Rammed Earth. Photo courtesy of Edward Sumner