Sustainable Materials and Traditional Crafts for Natural Homes
We believe building with earth, lime, and local tradition creates homes that breathe. Discover how we use centuries-old techniques to craft spaces that age beautifully.
The process of applying lime plaster is a craft in itself. It creates breathable, carbon-neutral walls that are both beautiful and eco-friendly, a technique tested over centuries by our ancestors.
'Thak Thak Thak!' The sound of the 'Thappi' tool beating the lime plaster. This traditional action helps the lime set, improves adhesion, and creates its distinctive textured finish.
A close-up of the wooden 'Thappi' tool creating its signature strokes on the wall. This is a time-honored technique that we are passionate about preserving.
Applying the final coat of 'Thappi' lime plaster. The beauty of this technique lies in its natural, earthy finish and the hands-on process of its creation.
Our installation at the India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale. We showcased a tensile mud installation and other natural materials to highlight the intersection of art and sustainable building.
A throwback to the creation of our biennale exhibit, a process of exciting collaboration and interaction with curators and fellow artists.
At the biennale, we showcased three art installations combining art and architectural techniques, including Tadelakt lime plaster spheres and tiles.
About this collection
When we talk about natural materials, we don't just mean the aesthetic. We’re talking about techniques like Thappi—a traditional Rajasthani plastering method—where we use a wooden tool to rhythmically beat lime plaster into walls. It sounds like 'thak-thak-thak' on site, but this simple action is how we fix micro-cracks and ensure the lime sets properly, creating a wall that is breathable and structurally sound without using synthetic additives.
The Science of Breathable Walls
Modern construction often seals homes with synthetic paints and cements, trapping moisture and heat. Our approach is the opposite. By using natural lime plaster and earth-based mixes, we ensure your walls can 'breathe,' regulating indoor humidity naturally.
Traditional Techniques We Practice
- Thappi Plastering: As mentioned, this beating technique improves the adhesion of the plaster and increases the density of the lime coat. It is physically demanding work, but it results in a durable, textured surface that synthetic mortars cannot replicate.
- Tadelakt: Originating from Morocco, this waterproof lime plaster is polished with a stone and sealed with olive soap. It is perfect for bathrooms, countertops, and feature spheres, offering a silky, stone-like finish that is entirely plastic-free.
- Rammed Earth & Mud: We use locally sourced earth to construct walls with high thermal mass, keeping your home cool in Bengaluru’s summers and warm during the monsoon.
Empowering Local Craft
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our team. We actively train women masons in these traditional skills, challenging the gender disparity in construction. When you choose to build with Masons Ink, you are supporting a process that values the artisan as much as the architecture. We believe that if you have the will to build with your hands, there is nothing that cannot be achieved.
Why Choose Natural Over Modern
Many clients ask if these materials require more maintenance. The truth is, they require a different kind of care. They age, they develop character, and they can be repaired. A lime-plastered wall doesn't peel like plastic paint; it matures. We are here to guide you through how to care for these surfaces so they last for generations.
Masons Ink
We are Masons Ink, and we’re always on-site, hands covered in mud, working alongside our incredible team of women masons. For us, architecture is about getting our hands dirty to build homes that are as kind to the earth as they are to you.
Looking for a specific natural finish?
Tell us what you want to build or which material you prefer.
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