Walmer Yard Clayworks Wall Finishes

Charcoal coloured clay plasters with straw, designed to resemble ancient Japanese Arakabe techniques, are among the inspired and unpredictable mix of materials in the highly acclaimed Walmer Yard residential development, designed by Peter Salter and Fenella Collingridge.

Delicate and nuanced, everything softened by shadows and the unique patina of unfired, raw earth plasters, the effect is significant. The aesthetic has a markedly different perspective to those we are more accustomed to in our modern cities. With a strong presence of wood as well, Walmer Yard celebrates Japanese design traditions juxtaposed with contemporary architectural influences from the West resulting in the tranquillity of raw clay and timber

opposing the intensity of concrete, metal and glass. Whereas many of the materials in the building reflect the light, the clay plasters absorb and diffuse it demonstrating how the Japanese preference for organic materials, for light and dark, for shadows, raw nature and tranquillity can result in the ultimate beauty of a near empty space defined only by materials and architecture.

As the light changes through the day from abundance to scarcity, the dark walls take on changing forms of beauty, where the magic of shadows and darkness and also colour, may be celebrated and experienced in different ways.

The clay plasters have been developed and mixed in Cornwall by Clayworks Ltd and were specified by Peter Salter and Fenella Collingridge and applied by Guy Valentine and The Shaw Building Group, who were responsible for the overall contract which exhibits beautiful craftsmanship and stunning detail.

Timber and clay are abundant all over Japan, and have been two essential building materials for traditional Japanese houses since the 17th century.

The texture of a wall, the colour of a wall, the material on a wall, the seasons and the time of day will all effect the sensorial experience of a room and Salter was very specific about the clay plasters, specifying for example, a custom earth colour with 30% more natural pigment than usual.

NOTES TO EDITORS

All photographs by Edmund Sumner and available in high resolution from Clayworks Ltd: contact [email protected] for photographs and for more information.

Walmer yard: Credits

Architectural Design:     Peter Salter and Fenella Collingridge. Further information at http://www.walmeryard.co.uk/

Main Contractor:             Shaw Building Group

All works:                            Shaw Joinery

All Joinery:                         Shaw Joinery

Clay Plastering:                 Guy Valentine and Shaw Building Group.

Clay Plasters:                     Clayworks Ltd

Clayworks Ltd was founded in 2011 and blends 100% natural clay plasters in Cornwall from naturally abundant materials sourced in the UK.  Winner of multiple awards, including the FX Design Award 2012, Clayworks Clay Plasters have been specified in acclaimed luxury residential and commercial interiors around the world and are now becoming one of the preferred interior wall finishes by companies such as Aesop, Foster and Partners and Nandos.

The plasters are valued not only for their aesthetics but for their supreme sustainability and health credentials and reliability. Ready mixed and easy to use they are easily available to anybody anywhere in the world.