Novacolor Archi+Argilla Venetian Plaster

Product Class

Product Description

Novacolor Archi+ Argilla is a powdered mineral wall coating for interior use, formulated with natural clay, aerial lime, carefully selected aggregates, and rheological modifiers. Part of the prestigious Archi+ range of mineral plasters, it brings together a historically significant raw material and modern manufacturing technology to produce a finish with authentic earthy character and tactile depth. The clay and lime composition gives Archi+ Argilla inherent breathability, with high water vapour permeability (Sd < 0.10 m) and average resistance to liquid water penetration (w ≤ 0.20 kg/m²h^0.5). The finish is certified A+ for low emissions of volatile substances into indoor air, supporting healthy interior environments. It is supplied as a dry powder and mixed with water on site, offering a pot life of approximately 120 minutes at standard conditions. Archi+ Argilla can be applied in one or two coats to a wide range of substrates, including new and existing plasters based on hydraulic binders, gypsum and gypsumboard surfaces, and dry, compact organic or mineral paints and coatings. Yield is 1.8–2.2 kg/m² per coat. Maximum aggregate grain size is 1.8 mm. Surface protection is achieved with compatible Novacolor wax or sealer systems. Available in a curated range of warm earth tones. Must be applied by trained and certified installers. Supplied in 15 kg bags.

Scope of use

Archi+ Argilla is suitable for interior wall surfaces in residential and commercial applications where a natural mineral finish with decorative character is required. It is intended for use as a single or double-coat trowelled finish over prepared interior substrates, including new and existing plasters based on hydraulic binders, gypsum and gypsumboard surfaces, and dry, compact absorbent coatings of organic or mineral nature. It is not suitable for application to damp substrates, surfaces subject to rising damp, or exterior use. Not for use on non-absorbent or flexible substrates. Application must be carried out by trained and certified installers in accordance with Novacolor's published technical data sheet. Do not apply at ambient or substrate temperatures below +8°C or above +35°C. Ambient humidity must not exceed 75%; substrate humidity must be below 10%.

New Zealand Building Code (NZBC)

The product will, if employed in accordance with the supplier's installation and maintenance requirements, assist with meeting the following provisions of the building code:

• Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(c), B2.3.2(a)

  Manufacturer's Warranty Novacolor (the Manufacturer) warrants the product quality of Novacolor Archi+Argilla for a period of 10 years from the date of completion of installation, subject to compliance with the supplier's installation and maintenance requirements and applicable exclusions.

• Clause C3 Fire affecting areas beyond the fire source: Performance C3.4(a)

  According to the criteria reported in EN 13501-1:2009 standard Novacolor Archi+Argilla is A1 fire rating. 

  View Fire rating certificate

Notes

New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) This product will, if employed in accordance with the supplier's installation and maintenance requirements, assist with meeting the following provisions of the Building Code: Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(c), B2.3.2(a) Manufacturer's Warranty Novacolor (the Manufacturer) warrants the product quality of Novacolor Archi+Argilla for a period of 10 years from the date of completion of installation, subject to compliance with the supplier's installation and maintenance requirements and applicable exclusions.

Evidence

The product meets the requirements set out in the following documents, or relevant parts of cited standards within the documents:

Novacolor Archi+ Argilla demonstrates compliance with the New Zealand Building Code through manufacturer's technical documentation and independent third-party testing. The product is certified A+ for low emissions of volatile substances into indoor air, supporting healthy interior environments and compliance with indoor air quality requirements. Fire performance is verified by independent laboratory testing to EN 13501-1:2018 (Classification Report 2381/23, t2i laboratory, issued December 2023), achieving an A1 reaction to fire classification — the highest possible rating, confirming the product is non-combustible and does not contribute to fire spread or smoke production. The mineral composition — natural clay and aerial lime — contains no synthetic resins or hazardous solvents. Application must be carried out by trained and certified installers in accordance with Novacolor's published technical data sheet to ensure performance outcomes align with tested parameters.

Supporting evidence

The product has and can make available the following additional evidence to support the above statements:

Product Criteria

Design requirements

Novacolor Marmorino KS is suited to interior feature walls, full-room wall applications, and ceilings in residential and commercial settings.

Best specified where depth, tonal variation, and a handcrafted surface quality are the design intent. Not recommended for wet areas or surfaces subject to continuous moisture exposure.

Colour selection should account for natural tonal shift across large wall areas - samples are recommended prior to final specification.

Substrate preparation to Level 4 finish is required; imperfections will telegraph through the applied system. Custom colour matching available on request. Contact The Finish for sample specification support.

Installation requirements

Novacolor Marmorino KS must be applied by a trained and certified applicator in accordance with Novacolor's technical data sheet.

Substrate must be clean, dry, structurally sound, and prepared to a Level 4 finish with no visible fixings.

Suitable substrates include plasterboard (GIB), existing painted surfaces, concrete, fibre-cement board. 

Ambient temperature during application should be between 5°C and 35°C.

Protect from direct sunlight, rain, and moisture during application and cure.

Maintenance requirements

To maintain compliance with NZBC Clause B2 Durability, Novacolor Archi+Argilla must be inspected periodically and kept clean using pH-neutral cleaning products. Avoid abrasive tools or harsh chemical cleaners, which may degrade the polished lime surface. When installed and maintained in accordance with Novacolor's published technical data sheet, the product is warranted for 10 years from the date of installation completion.

Warrantees

10-year product warranty supplied when installed by a certified applicator.

Company Product Information

Environmental

Novacolor Archi+ Argilla is formulated with natural clay and aerial lime — historically derived, minimally processed raw materials with low embodied impact. The product contains no synthetic resins or hazardous solvents and is not classified for environmental hazards. It is certified A+ for low emissions of volatile substances into indoor air, supporting healthy environments for occupants and installers alike. The mineral and clay composition gives the finish inherent breathability, reducing the need for additional treatments over time. Archi+ Argilla is supplied as a dry powder, reducing packaging weight and transport impact relative to pre-mixed alternatives. When applied by trained and certified installers at correct coverage rates of 1.8–2.2 kg/m² per coat, material waste is minimised on site. The product's durability as a mineral finish supports longevity, reducing the frequency of replacement and associated material consumption.

Building Product Information Requirements

Manufacturer

Importer

Product Identifier

NOVACOLOR ARCHI+ARGILLA VENETIAN PLASTER

Warnings

This product has no warnings associated with it.