At Design Ethos, we believe material is memory. Whether it is the soft grain of a walnut stair rail or the cool press of stone underfoot, the choices we make shape not just how a house looks, but how it feels – for generations. We don’t just build structures. We build experiences that endure.
Used for centuries across Kashmir, Boore or the mud plaster has coated everything from humble village homes to grand Mughal-era structures. It’s more than just a construction material – it’s a living skin, breathing, insulating, and preserving.
Yet today, in an age of cement and machine polish, a question lingers: Does Boore still belong? At Design Ethos, our answer is an emphatic yes.
Step into an old Kashmiri home, and it’s not the architecture you notice first – it’s the feeling.
A quiet warmth radiating from the walls. The soft scent of earth after rain. A silence that feels storied and alive. That feeling often comes from Boore — traditional Kashmiri mud plaster.
Boore is a blend of local clay, straw, and fine silt — a formula refined across generations, often applied by hand. Its benefits, strikingly, align with modern sustainable design principles like thermal insulation, breathability, repairable and recyclable.
Boore naturally regulates interiors, keeps homes warm in winter and cool through summer’s intensity.
Unlike cement, Boore lets walls ‘breathe’, reducing dampness and promoting healthier indoor air.
Cracks can simply be patched with more earth.
Boore leaves no toxic waste and no heavy carbon footprint.
Today, with climate change urging a return to eco-conscious building, Boore isn’t just a nostalgic material – it’s a forward-looking choice.
Boore demands maintenance, particularly in areas with high rainfall or humidity. But today’s techniques offer significant upgrades.
Natural lime additives enhance water resistance.
Fiber reinforcement using hemp, jute, or traditional straw boosts tensile strength.
Micro-layer sealants preserve the natural feel while discreetly extending longevity.
Cost-wise, Boore remains one of the most affordable, sustainable wall finishes, particularly when using local materials.
In a fast, digital world, Boore reconnects us to slowness – to land, to tradition, to craftsmanship.
Mud walls may weather with time, but the values they embody – sustainability, community, simplicity – endure. When treated with care, Boore does more than hold homes together – it holds heritage.