Health Winners

How did you get to know Tierrafino? What was your first contact with Tierrafino and the material? 

When I first came to the Netherlands, I had a background in earthen building in the United States, particularly with rammed earth. However, everyone here told me it wasn't possible to build with earth in Holland. Determined to find someone who shared my passion, I began searching, even though this was at the early stages of the internet. Eventually, I discovered that Carl had just started making earthen plasters and had set up Tierrafino. He was crafting these plasters in his basement. At that time, I wasn't working in the building sector but in the graphic sector. Yet, I yearned to return to earthen building. I decided to write Carl a letter, expressing my desire to get into earthen building in Holland. He replied, inviting me to come by for a conversation. When I met Carl, he guided me towards plastering rather than rammed earth, which was a new direction for me. Simultaneously, I was also building earthen ovens and already had a deep love for building with earth. Carl and Tierrafino opened a door for me, showing that it was indeed possible to pursue this passion in Holland. Shortly after our initial meetings, I began giving workshops at Tierrafino, focusing on building ovens. We even organised a day of earthen building with children, in collaboration with Caterina. This was my first contact with Tierrafino, Carl, and Caterina, around 2005 or 2006.

And what is health for you in relation to what you do as a clay expert? 

For me, health isn't just about working with non-toxic and renewable materials. It's also about what I leave behind for clients and future generations. Working with these healthy materials contributes to my own well-being, and I feel good knowing the impact they have. These materials are not only non-toxic, but they also have a minimal footprint, benefiting future generations. Earthen materials have remarkable qualities. They help regulate humidity, are antistatic, and even offer protection against radiation. The renewability of clay is particularly appealing to me. For example, if I plaster a house and after ten years the new occupants don't want the clay, it can simply be scraped off the walls and reused. If not reused, it can be returned to the ground without harming the environment, as it’s just clay and sand. I love that you can build with materials that come from beneath your feet. This aspect of earthen building is very important to me. Working with these materials gives me a lot of energy and is, in itself, a healthy practice. I think this really sums up my feelings about the health benefits of using earthen materials.

And what about beauty? What is your perspective of beauty in relation to your work? 

In nature, when I look around at the different colors of soils and plants, I never see ugly combinations. Everything is in harmony. You can have all kinds of colors, but they always blend beautifully. I find the same harmony when working with earthen plasters. The colors of the clays and sands naturally complement each other, creating a sense of beauty. And for me, that's beauty.

For me, beauty lies in these natural materials. The combinations you can make with clay and sand are inherently beautiful. Of course, beauty is subjective, but I believe the colors derived from natural materials are stunning. When applied to interiors or exteriors, this beauty becomes evident. It's a reflection of what's naturally present on Earth.

In contrast, more processed materials like concrete don't evoke the same warmth or beauty for me. However, any color of clay plaster, natural pigments, or products like Tadelakt have a timeless beauty. They resonate with us as humans because we've been building with earth for centuries, it's kind of in our genes and it’s comfortable for us. It feels natural, like giving a child a sandbox or clay to play with—they instinctively feel at home.

Using natural materials brings us closer to our roots. The aesthetics of these materials are closely tied to nature. Bringing them into your home creates a sense of harmony, similar to the feeling of being in the mountains, forest, or at the beach. It fosters a closeness to nature and resonates with our human essence. When I'm in a house with clay plasters or natural paints, I feel a connection to nature and a sense of how we should be as humans.

“It resonates with who we are as humans”. That's really, really beautiful. Beautifully put. And craftsmanship resonates with that. What's your perspective on craftsmanship? 

I think you need to love the work that you're doing. When you love your work, it becomes like art or craftsmanship because you put a piece of yourself into it. If you're mindful of this and work with purpose and good intention, you leave a part of yourself in what you create. This craftsmanship, this personal touch, resonates with your clients and even with those who simply see your work. Doing your work with love and purpose builds a relationship with your clients and enhances the pieces you create.

The choice of materials is also crucial. For me, craftsmanship involves creating what the client wants and finding a balance between my capabilities, the client's desires, and the materials I use. As I get older and think more about future generations, I want to leave something behind that I'm proud of and that contributes positively to the world. I aim to be constructive and contribute meaningfully, rather than causing harm.

This desire to contribute and the love for my work are integral to my sense of craftsmanship. I want to leave a lasting, positive impact for my children and future generations.

I really love how you put it. It truly resonates with the DNA of Tierrafino and the direction we are heading towards.

For me, Tierrafino feels like finding a family, a group of people who resonate with my ideas about materials and craftsmanship. I believe that work done with love is art, and art is work done with love. Everyone must decide for themselves, but it becomes much easier to practice my craft when I love the materials I'm working with. Tierrafino has been a homecoming for me because our philosophy and mindset are closely aligned in terms of beauty and the feeling their products evoke, which in turn influences what I can create.

I have a special connection with clay. Others have said it before me, but for me, clay feels like a living thing. It breathes, it absorbs and releases water, and it transitions between different states. When you add water, it becomes fluid; when the water evaporates, it dries. It may seem lifeless when dry, but adding water brings it back to life. This characteristic of clay makes it feel almost alive to me.

In a more profound sense, if you consider biblical terms, Adam was made from clay, symbolizing that we come from the clay and return to it when we die. Clay is intrinsically connected to us as humans. It's part of our lives and our history. We all have an innate closeness to clay.

Last question, how does this relate to Xavi? Did you do the project together?

Yes, we did. Xavi and I call ourselves brothers. He took a workshop I was giving in clay plaster, earthen plaster, back in 2007. During the workshop, he said, "I really want to do this for my work. If you have another job or something and you need somebody, ask me."

Two months later, he came with a job he had acquired. He said, "I don't really know what I'm doing, but this guy wants earthen plaster and wall heating and all this stuff. Would you do that with me together?" Since then, we've been working together. Since 2007/2008, we both have our own companies, but we do everything together.

Wow, and then it's good to know if this project was done by both of you.

Yes, it was definitely a joint effort. I was the main contact with the client, discussing ideas like the labs we built and the reed in the wall. The client had handmade and hand-painted tiles she wanted incorporated into the wall. It was a collaborative dance between the client, me, and Xavi. While I handled the contact, the execution of the work was totally a joint effort between Xavi and me. We're like left hand and right hand.

Should we then also ask these questions to Xavi, or is this your joint vision of things?

I think it's very much a joint vision. He might provide a different perspective or highlight other aspects that are important to him. If you want to take the time to call him and ask, it would be good. However, I believe I speak for both of us.

Okay, I can imagine that. And we can present it as both your vision.

Yes, absolutely.