Rediscovering Gypsum in Contemporary Design

Introduction: Rediscovering Gypsum in Contemporary Design

Gypsum is one of the few materials that has transitioned from antiquity into our contemporary design ethos.
 Mined and processed for millennia, it has been the unheralded but enduring component of many of the world's best-known designs—from the ornamental plasterwork of ancient Egyptian temples to the amenable smoothness found on many Renaissance interiors. In our current design era, which is increasingly concerned with eco-responsible design and sustainable materials, gypsum is now positioned for a well-earned revival.

A Naturally Versatile Material

Gypsum is fundamentally a naturally rendering mineral—calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O)—with unique chemical and physical characteristics that make it specifically suitable to building and design use.

Space and time differences are vastly irrelevant to gypsum, which has been mined and used worldwide for both construction and design because of its characteristics of being easy to mold, non-flammable, and great finish.

Gypsum can be molded and made into many things, but can also be adaptable to create anything from traditional plasterwork to modern minimalist interiors—giving architects and designers a way to balance their making desires with the technical performance of important materials.

A Shift in Material Responsibility

The architectural community has recently been shifting their attention to the materials they design with.
They have begun to focus on the humanistic and environmental responsibility of the materials used.

With increasing regulations surrounding emissions, waste, and fire safety, gypsum has now emerged as a material that can meet many of these naturally.

Not only is gypsum infinitely recyclable, but it also has low embodied energy, as the energy used to produce gypsum is relatively low—making it an extremely desirable material within circular design thinking.

Modern Applications of an Ancient Material

The continued use of 3D wall paneling systems (like Kandes!) has provided a huge boost in modern interior design—all using the creative license to produce gypsum with its strength.

These modern applications of gypsum take advantage of gypsum's advantages, including:

• Precision molded pieces

• Seamless repetition of patterns
  

• Clean lines
  

• Fire resistance
  
  

This allows architects and designers to create bold feature walls that maintain technical integrity.

Looking Forward

As designers progress toward interiors that produce tactile, expressive, and responsible features and spaces, gypsum provides new options for the future.

This blog will explore its possibilities—from the scientific rationale for its antiquity to the future of modern sustainable living spaces.

Why Gypsum is the Material of Choice in the Interior Architecture Space

Gypsum’s appeal comes from its versatility and simplicity.
It is a naturally occurring mineral made mostly of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O). Gypsum appears as a sedimentary mineral formed by the evaporation of seawater, and is widely found around the world.

Most gypsum is:

• Mined in large crystalline beds
  

• Or extracted as a by-product from flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) in power plants—an extraction method that further enhances its eco-friendly profile
  

Core Physical Benefits

Gypsum has many properties that make it particularly appealing for construction and interior design:

• Non-combustible:
  Fire will not burn gypsum. During a fire, it releases its moisture as vapor, significantly slowing down combustion. This is an inherent quality, not reliant on chemical additives.
  

• Acoustically pleasing:
  Gypsum’s density makes it excellent at insulating sound, a reason it’s long used in both commercial and residential interiors.
  

• Malleable:
  In plaster form, gypsum can be shaped into decorative elements, making it ideal for custom interior finishes.
  

• Lightweight and easy to work with:
  Lighter than stone or cement, gypsum products are easier to transport and install—shortening construction timelines and reducing ecological impact.
  

• Thermal reaction:
  Gypsum helps regulate humidity and temperature, contributing to passive climate control and enhancing comfort indoors.
  

Types of Gypsum Products in Architecture and Design

Gypsum appears in various forms across interior architecture:

• Gypsum plaster
  Also known as plaster of Paris when dehydrated, it is used for decorative finishes, molding, and casting.
  

• Gypsum board
  Commonly referred to as drywall or plasterboard, it’s a go-to material for walls and ceilings due to its smooth finish and natural fire resistance.
  

• Gypsum 3D wall panels
  Traditional gypsum has been reimagined into designer 3D wall panels—such as those by Kandes—offering a contemporary, tactile, and superior wall solution.
  

In all forms, gypsum provides environmental and functional benefits that continue to be admired by architects, interior designers, and builders.

Gypsum has proven its worth in contemporary interiors with a unique combination of aesthetic adaptability, technical functionality, and ease of installation.
Whether in plaster form or as precision-molded 3D wall panels, its naturally smooth finish and flexible consistency make it suitable for both minimalist and elaborate design schemes.

Key Advantages

• Fire Resistance
  Gypsum is naturally A1 non-combustible. When exposed to heat, it releases moisture as steam, effectively slowing the spread of fire.
  This inherent fire-resistant quality is of utmost importance, whether in residential or commercial environments.
  

• Ideal Surface Finish
  The fine grain structure of gypsum produces seamless surfaces, often requiring no additional finishing treatments.
  

• Sound Insulation
  Thanks to its material density, gypsum supports acoustic comfort by absorbing and dampening sound transmission between rooms.
  

• Workability
  Gypsum can be cut, shaped, molded, or layered with minimal force—allowing for precise, customized design.
  

• Quick and Clean Usage
  Gypsum-based systems are lightweight and low-dust, especially when using pre-finished panels, which reduce on-site disruption.

Gypsum's properties lend themselves to an exceptional level of versatility in the application across project types, from TV walls in residential living rooms to statement features in hospitality. Benefits such as these are further elevated with products such as Kandes 3D wall panels, which are made with natural gypsum and intended for direct paintability, representing technical excellence and visual impact, while addressing the demanding expectations of architects and interior designers.

The Environmental Benefits of Gypsum

As sustainability becomes a design requirement, gypsum has the distinct advantage of fitting into a circular and environmentally minded building product range.
Gypsum has inherent environmental benefits—it achieves high performance without artificial enhancements or intensive processing.

Key Benefits

• 100% Recyclable
  Gypsum can be endlessly recycled without chemical modification or loss of quality.
  Waste from production or demolition can be reprocessed into new materials, supporting a true circular model.
  

• Low Embodied Energy
  Compared to cement or ceramic, gypsum requires minimal energy to extract and produce, significantly reducing carbon equivalents.
  

• Non-toxic and Low-VOC
  Gypsum contains no toxic additives and emits virtually no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improving indoor air quality.
  

• Humidity Control
  Gypsum naturally absorbs and releases moisture, helping to regulate humidity and support a healthier indoor climate.
  

• Made Locally
  With abundant availability and production across Europe, gypsum is often mined and processed regionally.
  This reduces reliance on long-haul shipping and freight, thereby lowering transport-related emissions.
  

These characteristics align with the criteria of green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and others increasingly required in public and private development projects.

The Uses of Gypsum in Today’s Interior Design

Gypsum is a highly useful material, prized for its adaptable fabrication and material flexibility across the full spectrum of interior design—whether luxury, accessible, or minimalist. It is more than just a wall, a ceiling, a partition, or an acoustic element; gypsum offers itself as a medium for both design expression and practical performance.

Specific Design Uses

• Wall Cladding / 3D Wall Panels
  Pre-fabricated gypsum panels are easy to install and are used to create dynamic accent walls.
  While the base structure remains uniform, each panel’s surface introduces dimension through texture, depth, and pattern—most often in geometric or flowing designs.
  

• Ceiling Finishes and Cornices
  Both traditional and modern ceilings benefit from gypsum’s smooth, moldable surface, which supports more complex decorative or functional shapes.
  

• Lighting Systems
  Gypsum works well in combination with LED lighting systems, enabling ambient or indirect lighting that is both practical and atmospheric.
  

• Partition Walls
  Lightweight yet solid, gypsum is commonly used in commercial interiors for partitions—providing acoustic insulation, space separation, and layout flexibility.
  

• Custom Sculptural Elements
  Gypsum’s moldability makes it ideal for creating alcoves, decorative niches, and a wide variety of bespoke architectural features.
  

Each of these applications finds a home in residential, hospitality, and retail projects, where visual impact must be balanced with durability, fire safety, and acoustic comfort.

Designers increasingly turn to gypsum as a sustainable, breathable, and non-combustible alternative to synthetic or plastic wall coverings. In doing so, they enhance the health and safety of their environments while maintaining a natural, elegant aesthetic.

Fire Safety and Gypsum in Buildings

In the built environment today, fire safety is a must-have feature of the building process—especially with multi-use buildings, hospitality, and residences. Gypsum is commonly specified by architects and developers, primarily because of its fire-safe properties.

Why Gypsum is Naturally Flame-Retardant

Gypsum has stored water molecules supplied by crystalline structure. When heat is supplied, gypsum undergoes calcination, releasing water vapour—this chemical process absorbs heat and slows the spread of fire and smoke, acting as an effective fire barrier.

That means the two most common gypsum-based materials, plasterboard and Kandes 3D wall panels, are naturally non-combustible.
In fact, many products are rated A1 Euroclass (EN 13501-1) for fire safety in construction materials.

Acoustic and Thermal Features of Gypsum 3D Panels

In the world of modern design, aesthetic performance must be equally considered to function, primarily in terms of acoustics and indoor climate. Gypsum will offer functionality and aesthetic value as an option for wellness-focused architecture and high-performance interiors.

Acoustic Performance

Gypsum, due to its dense mass, will absorb airborne sound and dampen echo.
In a 3D wall panel application, the relief patterns include more area and deflect sound waves from reflecting directly off a surface to a slower dispersing sound exiting the space.

This improved acoustical behavior can be effectively used in:

• Residential living rooms and media rooms for improved sound clarity
  

• Hospitality or commercial venues that may control ambient noise
  

• Office or clinical settings requiring private treatment spaces or functions requiring sound performance
  

Thermal Control

Gypsum can assist with passive thermal regulation.
Gypsum naturally absorbs and releases moisture, helping to stabilize indoor humidity and reduce the demands on mechanical ventilation systems.

Thermal mass (in this case, gypsum) can buffer thermal shifts in temperature, resulting in improved comfort and reduced energy demand over time.

Case Spotlight: Kandes – A Premium Swiss Brand of 3D Wall Panels

Kandes, a high-end Swiss brand, sits in the sweet spot of advanced architecture and planet-friendly design by creating 3D gypsum panels that redefine wall surfaces.
Kandes embodies the values of perfect geometry, environmental responsibility, and creative impulses to create a contemporary evolution of plaster designed to inspire interiors of substance and style.

The Kandes Difference

100% Natural Gypsum
All of the panels are made from mineral-based plaster, with zero fillers, synthetics, VOCs, or harmful additives. This allows for a completely non-toxic and breathable indoor environment for residential projects, commercial projects, and hospitality projects.

A1 Non-Combustibility
Kandes panels are made from reinforced gypsum only and are tested independently to A1 Euroclass (EN 13501-1) to establish they have the highest standard for fire safety. They are suitable for:

• Public-facing interiors (restaurants, galleries, hotels)

• Commercial projects with strict fire codes

• Residential projects with the highest standards for safety

Precision and Visual Quality
Panels are designed for both structural integrity and visual quality, capable of doing large-scale installations with flush joins and uninterrupted geometry.

Paintable Finish
All Kandes 3D panels are supplied to the designer with a refined white paintable finish—allowing designers to:

• Match existing colors

• Keep colors current

• Go bold

• Go subtle

Swiss Precision, Global Vision
Although Kandes products are manufactured in European Union, they embrace core Swiss values of precision, clarity, and reliability—while expanding their footprint across Europe and North America.

Design Flexibility: Minimalism to Maximalism

In minimalist interior spaces, Kandes panels offer clean, uncomplicated lines and a playful tactile surface—especially toned in white, off white, or pastel—the suitable palette for Scandinavian, Japanese, or Swiss design.

In maximalist interiors, Kandes thrives on geometric, layered, or sculptural relief designs that can be exquisitely enhanced by rich colour tones, LED backlighting, and become the centrepiece in:

• Dramatic living rooms

• Luxury retail boutiques

• High-impact hospitality spaces

With complete paintability and modular precision, Kandes allows designers full control to create immersive uninterrupted environments—whether keeping it subtle or going big.

Performance & Sustainability

Acoustic Comfort & Thermal Performance
We all know gypsum is dense and has great benefits, including the ability to absorb sound and create passive thermal comfort while regulating humidity.

Eco-friendly Production
Kandes panels are made with a low-waste and energy-efficient technique, as the modularity of the panels reduces off-cut waste, and eliminate installation time while extending the product's life cycle.

Sustainable by Nature
Kandes panels can be made with 100% recyclable content, no toxic additives, and low embodied energy to obtain green building certifications including LEED and BREEAM.

Suitable Applications for all Sectors

Kandes panels are ideal for use in:

• Residential: tv walls, bedrooms, hallways

• Hospitality: hotel lobbies, wellness areas, dining areas

• Retail and showrooms: environments requiring contemporary visual impact

• Healthcare and clinics: sound and hygienic surface requirements

Low-maintenance Solution

Kandes panels are low maintenance by design:

• Dust: dry cloth or vacuum brush

• Marks: damp sponge with mild soap will restore the surface

This makes them a practical and reliable solution for home and commercial interiors.

Kandes provides performance, safety, and design without compromises.
We go from clean, minimalistic wall designs to beautifully expressive sculptural statement walls. Their 3D gypsum panels are the future of architectural interiors through responsible design enviroment.

The Future of Gypsum in Interior Architecture

With architecture and design moving toward carbon-responsible, digitally engaged, and sensory-responsive environments, gypsum has great potential.
Its technology compatibility and proven track record allow this material to fit into the next generation of interior spaces.

Digital Fabrication and Customization

With the emergence of CNC machining and advanced mold-making, gypsum panels can be fabricated with precision and repetition.

Integration with Smart Systems

Gypsum breathes and has a natural thermal mass, making it well-positioned for energy-efficient buildings.
Integrated with LED lighting systems, for instance, gypsum can:

• Enhance ambient and indirect light
  

• Support mood-based or functional zones
  

As we peer into the future, gypsum's:

• Non-toxic characteristics
  

• Ability to be recycled
  

• Technical flexibility
  will ensure that it plays a part in the future of design in residential and commercial projects.

Conclusion: A Material that Lives On

Gypsum is a lot more than a building material.
Gypsum is a foundation for safe and sustainable interior design, as well as a way to express ourselves.
Its natural fire resistance, acoustic properties, and visual pliability have guaranteed its use in the modern practice of architecture for hundreds of years—and its application will only become an increasingly important material as the industry moves towards more sustainable, eco-friendly, and human-centered design.

From ancient reliefs to modern wall panels, gypsum has the intrinsic properties of performance, aesthetics, and sustainability that today’s:

• Architects
  

• Designers
  

• Developers
  
  

Whether it's smooth plaster surfaces or thought-provoking sculptural 3D wall panels (Kandes), gypsum provides modern approaches to adaptable and future-ready design—without compromising standards for the environment.

Kandes' principle of precise geometry, all-natural gypsum, and fire-rated A1 safety show how traditional materials can be prepared for more modern applications.

In times that are meant to be synonymous with:

• Wellness
  

• Sustainability
  

• Creative expression
  
  

Gypsum is a material that can live on—and will be part of our future—ready to remain a part of the walls of tomorrow.

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