Bell and Tucker

Building Green? Consider Venetian Plaster

Green building practices are quite the topic of conversation among many of our clients these days. As professional faux finishers we can do our part to “green” our applications by choosing finishes and products that are not harmful to the environment. You know that smell of a freshly painted room? How about that new vinyl drop cloth smell? Those “new” scents are actually being created by Volatile Organic Compounds or V.O.C.’s. Volatile organic compounds are gasses or fumes emitted from solid or liquid substances, and some VOCs, like those that come from paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides and adhesives, can be harmful to humans.

Almost all the big name paint manufacturers have introduced LOW VOC paint products to capitalize on the Green Building movement. Benjamin Moore has two lines, Aura and it’s even greener sister, Natura ; Sherwin Williams has Harmony, Dunn-Edwards has Ecoshield. In addition, all the faux finish suppliers that we work with have been launching formulations to reduce VOC’s. It’s good for business and good for the community and the environment.

When it was time for Tennessee’s first LEED certified hospital to choose wall coatings for it’s new chapel they went with a product that has always been LOW VOC naturally, Venetian Plaster. Bell and Tucker- faux artisans had the distinguished honor of completing the project. Franklin Woods was designed to be the first hospital in Tennessee to achieve LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED-certified buildings have minimal impact on their surrounding ecosystems, use water and energy efficiently, employ renewable resources and materials, and preserve indoor air quality. Many of the facility’s green features won’t be obvious; some of the biggest energy savers are stashed away inside the walls and pipes. One thing that will be obvious is the way the structure incorporates the natural environment that green-building is designed to protect. The building itself is designed to be part of the healing process through its connection to nature.

When deciding on which Venetian Plaster to use for their project, Franklin Woods’ developers went to the industry leader, Spatula Stuhhi.

ITALIAN POLISHED PLASTERS have a rich and colorful history, gracing some of the most famous buildings and residences since the mid 1500s. Venice Italy is credited with elevating polished plaster to almost an art form with the addition of marble powders to the natural lime based stucco; hence the name Venetian Plaster.

Traditionally non-toxic, non-flammable, fade resistant, mold/mildew resistant, and transpirable, Spatula Stuhhi embodies all these positive attributes, while adding improved application speed with almost zero VOC’s. Spatula Stuhhi Italian Plasters are made from natural lime plaster kilned in Italy that provides a color intensity and depth not found in the acrylic imitation products.

There are only a handful of Spatula Stuhhi fine Italian Venetian Plaster certified installers in the United States. William Bell, of Bell and Tucker- faux artisans worked years for his certification. He has travelled extensively to Italy to study under the true masters of Venetian Plaster application.  He has hand trowelled tens of thousands of square feet of venetian plaster in his 30 plus years in the business.

He is now passing down the trade secrets of application to his partner and apprentice, Brooks Tucker. The product is installed in typically two or three coats, depending upon the desired final appearance. The color range, including both standard and custom colors, is unlimited. Creative effects include high gloss and matte finishes, tinted waxes, metallic glazes, as well as original complex creations.

If your next building or design project has “low impact on the environment” as one of your goals, consider Venetian Plaster as a wall or ceiling covering. One hundred years from now someone will be glad you did.

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