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Photography by Ema Peters

https://www.dwell.com/article/halfmoon-bay-cabin-frits-de-vries-architect-e9a74c69 

We had the opportunity to work with Frits-de-vries-architects on a private cabin, nestled away on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. When they asked if we were up for the challenge of a black and white plaster with a geographic pattern we said “YES” and it was in all caps. We love a challenge and what’s better then applying an Italian lime plaster in 2 opposite spectrums of the colour wheel. We choose 2 different Cadoro Plaster materials for this project and a Natural Bees wax

Follow along with some of the photos from the construction on the lime plaster cabinets as we worked on them.

 

 

When I was contacted about The Exchange in 2013, I was immediately drawn to the difficulty of installing a polished plaster finish to such a vast area.

The finish I created was installed in a 3 layer system of Italian lime plaster, the final layer had mother of pearl added to enhance the look and stone like characteristics of the surface, emulating the look of stone with a semigloss shine and dullish areas.

-Scroll to the bottom to watch the video of the Exchange-

With walls sprawling 5 story’s in the air, complete with 1/4″ FryReglet reveals, detailed vertical battens and a concrete pillar to match. A project of this stature could surely make or break a career. In my life of creating finishes for projects like the Exchange doing the normal is not enough for me, I live for a challenge and the ability to learn and grow in my plastering skills.

 

In the beginning of the specification for the plaster system I gave my experience with long term durability of plaster in commercial spaces, making it a point that the base board and external corners be treated with a stone cap for added protection. We also discussed a design concept for the wall system including a high abuse coating below my plaster on the lower portions of the most hi traffic areas.

Getting to be part of the team involved in creating and building The Exchange was an amazing experience and I thank all those involved. I worked closely with Iredale group, PCL construction & B&O drywall on this project.

The Exchange Office Tower Interior Lobby Arial Drone Footage from Darrell Morrison on Vimeo.

Over the summer we had the opportunity to work in the Kitsilano Aēsop cosmetic store on West 4th Ave. The design for the store was designed split in half with a mono tone Italian lime plaster in a grey concrete colour. One side highly polished and the other matte. The two sides split with a brass strip down the centre.

Challenges in Venetian plaster applications is really what we thrive in, when asked if we could plaster the cabinets for the store we excepted the opportunity. One of the largest issues that arise on commercial construction projects is time and having enough of it to complete the project in its proposed deadline. Over the years we have developed systems to help aid these situations for our clients.

 

Aēsop from Darrell Morrison on Vimeo.