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

I come from a traditional plastering company, and we started with healthy materials. When I began as an apprentice plasterer, we worked with lime and similar materials. Later, I experienced the transition to gypsum and decorative plasters, including synthetic resins. I did that for a while, but with a heavy heart because it didn't feel right or good. Then I met Carl at a regular construction fair. He was in a remote corner, and I thought, "What is this man doing?" Sorry for the wording, but it looked like he was plastering with crap , you understand? But when I took a closer look at his stand and then I saw beautiful design plasters such as Tadelakt, and from that moment it grabbed me and never let go. I've never regretted it for a day. Because then I turned things around, I quit my job at my father's plastering company, as I said, and started my own business. This way, I didn't have to make compromises with the materials I used.

How do you view health now, and the role the materials you work with play?

It's very clear. You notice a completely different experience as a recipient. In terms of acoustics, humidity control, and such, these materials sell themselves.

And beauty? What is beauty to you?

Beauty is primarily about creativity. Of course, beauty is different for everyone. What one person finds ugly, another might not, and vice versa. So, I find it a very broad concept. The most important thing for me is to create as many beautiful things as possible using natural materials. When is something beautiful? When it is colorful and fits with nature. You see it immediately. If pigments are synthetic-based, they deviate from what you see in nature, which I find less appealing. Natural beauty reveals itself, so to speak.

And craftsmanship?

I come from the traditional side, of course. For some plasterers, craftsmanship is about creating something perfect, hard, perfectly aligned, and super straight. I don't completely agree with that. When I look at natural forms, they have irregularities and organic shapes. This natural imperfection influenced my direction because I was tired of making straight, white walls. If you keep doing the same thing, it's not fulfilling. You really want to leave something beautiful behind. When you leave a project, you want to go home with a feeling of pride, not thinking, "Well, I made 50 metres of white wall again, and it looks good." That doesn't give me satisfaction. That's why I always try to discover something new.

I've done that with Tadelakt in my own bathroom. I incorporated gold leaf into it, and it went very well. These natural materials often go well together; they never fight.

And does the creative aspect also belong to a part of craftsmanship?

For me, absolutely. Without a doubt. Otherwise, I would have stopped this profession long ago.

Why do you do this profession?

Why do I do this profession? Because I can express myself in it. I can earn a good living with it. I can make a distinction. I work with materials that I stand behind, and I don't have to fear for my health. That's different nowadays.

I think it's very inspiring, especially for the new generation of plasterers. People like you and the other finalists can play a very important role in making them realise that you can express yourself. The plastering profession is not only functional and straightforward. It is truly at the intersection of craftsmanship, art, and health. People can be advised about what a healthy living environment is.