Materia Viva

Materia Viva is a premium textured lime plaster that blends natural materials with contemporary Italian design. Made in Italy by Novacolor, this eco-conscious plaster system uses mineral powders and recycled aggregates to create expressive, tactile surfaces suitable for residential and commercial interiors.

Seen throughout Mediterranean and Italian architectural heritage, lime plaster is naturally breathable, durable, and rich in visual depth. Materia Viva continues this tradition through four unique finishes that bring warmth, texture, and authenticity to modern design projects.

The Four Materia Viva Finishes

Each finish features a different recycled aggregate, producing its own texture and character.

1. Cocciopesto — Crushed Brick & Terracotta Plaster

A warm, earthy plaster enriched with crushed bricks and terracotta tiles. Cocciopesto creates a rustic yet refined aesthetic and is ideal for feature walls, living rooms, and design-led commercial spaces.

2. Conchiglia — Crushed Shell Plaster

Made with crushed natural shells, Conchiglia offers subtle luminosity and a soft, coastal mineral texture. Perfect for beach homes, wellness spaces, and interiors inspired by natural tones.

3. Pomice — Volcanic Mineral Plaster

Pomice incorporates magmatic, alveolar minerals to create a breathable, lightweight texture with delicate movement. It suits calm, tonal schemes and minimalist interiors.

4. Cork — Natural Cork Granulate Plaster

Featuring expanded, toasted cork granules, this version adds warmth, organic movement, and a soft, textural complexion. A sustainable option for natural, earthy interiors.

Why Materia Viva Is Popular With Designers:

• Lime-based and breathable — ideal for healthy, long-lasting interiors

• Recycled aggregates offer sustainability and natural character

• Highly textured finish not possible with standard paint

• Made in Italy with Novacolor’s advanced mineral technology

• Suitable for feature walls in modern, minimalist, and Mediterr

Materia Viva Conchiglia is a mixture of crushed and selected shells in different granulometries mixed into the Materia Viva base, a mineral powder coating for interiors based on hydraulic lime, aerial lime, and selected aggregates.

Materia Viva Conchiglia Decopowder consists of small fragments of shells/pearls, set into the smooth and planar surface of a mineral plaster. Materia Viva Conchiglia is characterized by a structured surface, with bright and mother-of-pearl inserts.

Materia Viva Sughero is a granulate of expanded and toasted natural cork mixed into the Materia Viva base, a mineral powder coating for interiors based on hydraulic lime, aerial lime, and selected aggregates.

The surface decorated with Materia Viva mixed with Materia Viva Pomice has a compact appearance, soft to the touch, reminiscent of natural fiber textiles.

The volcanic origin of Materia Viva Pomice, combined with its “pozzolanic” properties (it reacts with lime to create a hydraulic binder), evokes the mortars and finishes of our architectural heritage.

Materia Viva Pomice is made up of alveolar magmatic minerals, selected in different granulometries mixed into the Materia Viva base, a mineral powder coating for interiors based on hydraulic lime, aerial lime, and selected aggregates.

Materia Viva Pomice is a mineral surface enriched and decorated with colored fragments of polished stone.

Italian architecture has made extensive use of Cocciopesto as mortar, plaster, or finishing layer.

Materia Viva Cocciopesto is composed of crushed bricks and tiles with selected granulometries mixed into the Materia Viva base, a mineral powder coating for interiors based on hydraulic lime, aerial lime, and selected aggregates. Materia Viva Cocciopesto is a modern interpretation of the classic cocciopesto plaster, present in historical construction and in the architecture of various Italian cities

Need Project Support? Get In Touch Below