Lime may very well be the most prized and versatile building material of the civilized world. The Mayans, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used lime extensively. The fact that many of their works realized in lime have survived hundreds or even thousands of years until the present day testifies to the durability of lime. The benefits of being physically durable seem obvious enough; however, beauty is an oft overlooked factor in sustainability. After all we’re often willing to go to great lengths preserve and maintain what aesthetically pleases us and are likewise eager to tear down what we find ugly.
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael are considered the three preeminent masters of the Renaissance, each producing lime plastered masterpieces delicately painted al fresco. Lime has likewise been modified to construct sublime, enduring structures such as the 2nd century Roman Pantheon as well as our own Hoover Dam of the 20th century.