Founded by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, Clayworks has built a reputation for placing natural materials and traditional building knowledge at the heart of contemporary construction. The company’s clay plasters and surface finishes reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility, craft and performance, offering architects, designers and contractors alternatives to conventional mineral and synthetic systems.

The origins of Clayworks lie in Cornwall, where Weismann and Bryce ran a specialist natural building company working with cob, stone, timber, clay and lime. Alongside this practical experience, they travelled extensively to study traditional earthen construction methods, developing a deep understanding of clay as both a structural and finishing material. This period of research and experimentation laid the foundations for their later work, which sought to translate vernacular techniques into robust, modern systems suitable for contemporary buildings.

That ambition was formalised through the publication of their books, Building with Cob (2006) and Clay and Lime Finishes (2008), which explored the technical, environmental and aesthetic potential of earth-based construction. The research underpinning these titles also catalysed the development of Clayworks’ ready-to-use clay plaster finishes, combining centuries-old knowledge with modern materials science. This synthesis of tradition and innovation remains central to the company’s ethos.

Today, Clayworks offers a comprehensive range of clay plasters and natural finishes designed to meet the performance demands of modern construction, while retaining the tactile and environmental qualities of earthen materials. Alongside its core product lines, the company operates a bespoke design service and sample studio, working closely with architects and designers to develop custom finishes that respond to the specific spatial, material and atmospheric ambitions of each project.

Sustainability is embedded not as an adjunct, but as a defining principle. Clayworks’ plasters are recyclable, repairable and compostable, contributing to circular material strategies and long-term building adaptability. Environmental Product Declarations, Health Product Declarations, VOC emissions testing and fire performance certification underpin the technical credibility of the range, while independent assessments confirm ultra-low VOC emissions and exemplary indoor air quality performance. For specifiers seeking surface finishes that combine environmental responsibility with proven technical standards, this transparency is central.

Equally important is the contribution these materials make to occupant wellbeing. Clay’s inherent hygroscopic properties allow walls to regulate internal humidity levels, helping to stabilise indoor environments and improve comfort. The material’s softness, depth and textural variation further enhance spatial experience, offering designers a nuanced palette that responds to light, shadow and touch.

Underlying Clayworks’ technical and environmental focus is a broader commitment to responsible practice. The company’s ethos emphasises respect for natural systems, creativity grounded in material understanding, and collaboration with like-minded practitioners. This philosophy extends beyond product development into education, research and community engagement, positioning Clayworks as both manufacturer and advocate for more thoughtful construction methodologies.

In a sector increasingly shaped by the need for low-impact materials and circular construction strategies, Clayworks demonstrates how traditional knowledge can inform contemporary innovation. By combining earthen craft traditions with rigorous material science and transparent performance data, the company has created a suite of surface finishes that challenge conventional approaches to interior architecture, while offering specifiers robust, practical and sustainable alternatives.