Plaster and Biophilia: How Natural Walls Can Bring Us Back to Nature

Unearthed crew member Julia on-site project, East Sussex.

In a world increasingly dominated by synthetic materials and digital interfaces, there’s a growing movement to reconnect with what’s real, textured, and alive. Biophilic design—rooted in our innate love for the natural world—is changing how we think about the spaces we inhabit. While plants and daylight often steal the spotlight in biophilic design, one of the most powerful yet understated materials in this movement is natural plaster.

What Is Biophilia, Really?
Biophilia goes beyond simply adding a few houseplants to your living room. It’s a design philosophy that seeks to re-establish a deep connection between humans and nature by weaving natural elements into the built environment. The aim? To create spaces that don’t just function well, but feel good—physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Why Plaster Belongs in the Biophilic Toolkit?

Natural plasters—like clay and lime—are the quiet heroes of biophilic interiors. Here’s why they matter:

1. Tactile Beauty and Sensory Warmth
Natural plaster walls aren’t flat or cold. They hold subtle imperfections, textures, and depth that invite touch and offer visual richness. Unlike painted drywall, plaster breathes, catches the light in unique ways, and carries a handmade quality that feels deeply human.

2. Healthy Materials for Healthy Spaces
Clay and lime plasters are non-toxic, low in VOC, and help regulate indoor humidity—making the air more comfortable and reducing mould risk. These materials contribute to an environment that feels fresh, calm, and alive.

3. A Living Surface
Plaster isn’t static. It ages gracefully, develops a patina, and reflects the life of a space over time. In this way, it mirrors nature’s cycles—bringing an organic dynamism into your home.

4. Earthen Connection
Using earth-based materials reconnects us to the land itself. Natural plasters literally come from the ground, and when applied by hand, they form a direct link between builder, material, and place—a process that resonates with the slowness and intentionality we often seek in biophilic design.

More Than Just a Wall Finish
Natural plaster isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about atmosphere. It softens acoustics. It regulates temperature and moisture. It transforms sterile spaces into nourishing environments. Whether you’re renovating a single room or designing a whole home, incorporating natural plaster can quietly—but profoundly—change how you experience your space.

Rewilding Our Interiors
As biophilic design continuously gains momentum, we’re reminded that nature doesn’t just belong outside. It can live in the walls, in the materials, in the air we breathe. Natural plaster helps us remember that every time we run our hands along a sun-warmed wall.

Ready to reconnect with nature, one wall at a time? You might be surprised just how transformative a little earth can be.