With Hand and Heart: How Master Craftsman Mile brings our terracotta tiles to life
Craftsmanship with heart and decades of experience—that’s what defines our terracotta tiles. To give you a special insight into the making and the philosophy behind our products, we spoke with Mile, the most experienced master craftsman in our workshop. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on quality, tradition, and the importance of care at every stage of the process.
Mile, how long have you been in this craft?
Mile:
Ich bin von Anfang an dabei, seitdem die Werkstatt gestartet ist. Am Anfang habe ich mit einem älteren Meister zusammengearbeitet. Als er in Pension ging, hat er mir das Vertrauen geschenkt, das Zepter zu übernehmen. Heute zähl ich zu den Erfahrensten hier – wir haben jüngere Kollegen und Helfer, aber ich sorg dafür, dass alles passt. Nichts verlässt die Werkstatt, ohne dass es durch meine Hände oder zumindest meinen Blick gegangen ist.
Arbeitest du denn nicht allein?
Mile: I’ve been here from the very beginning, since the workshop started. At first, I worked alongside an older master. When he retired, he entrusted me with taking the reins. Today, I’m among the most experienced here—we have younger colleagues and helpers, but I make sure everything is right. Nothing leaves the workshop without having passed through my hands, or at least under my eye.
What do you expect most from the young craftsmen?
Mile: First—no rushing. These days everyone wants everything “right away.” But with us there is no “right away.” Second—listening. I show them how, but you also have to listen to and feel the material—sense when the clay is “alive” and when it’s “tired.” And third—respect for the work. This is not a factory. Here, every mistake costs time and reputation.
How long does a complete production cycle take?
Mile: On average, two to three weeks. It depends on the weather, humidity, and the thickness of the tile. The clay needs a resting phase. Then we shape everything by hand, so each piece is unique. Drying takes the longest—if you steal time there, everything is lost. Firing is another story. We fire with wood—no push-button operation, but constant control.
Do you measure everything precisely, or do you work more by feel?
Mile: Both. Without feel, a measuring tape won’t help you. Of course there are forms and dimensions, but you don’t work like a robot. Clay shrinks as it dries and loses moisture. If the balance isn’t right, the final dimension won’t be right either. You need the sensitivity to know when the clay isn’t ready yet, when waiting is called for, and when something is off. You only learn that with experience—that’s exactly the difference between a beginner and an old hand.
How do you deal with mistakes?
Mile: Mistakes happen, but you have to spot them early and act immediately. If a batch starts to crack—stop! If a tile doesn’t fit—out it goes. No compromises. Our clients aren’t just buying a terracotta tile; they’re also buying the assurance that it’s made properly. Because they often wait a long time, we have to earn their trust.
Are there any special requests from architects or clients?
Mile: All sorts. Some want specific shades, others particular surface finishes. If it’s feasible, we’ll do it. I’m open to compromise, but I’m also clear: we don’t do anything that won’t work in the end. If someone wants something that doesn’t suit the material, we’d rather decline than be ashamed of it later.
What do you personally like most about terracotta?
Mile: That it’s alive. It isn’t cold like industrial ceramics. When you touch it, you feel the structure, the slight irregularities. And when the sun hits the floor, you see the color of the earth. No piece is like another—and that’s its true value.
And finally: What does this work mean to you?
Mile: It means everything to me. I’m not here just to “punch the clock.” I live it. It makes me happy to see something I made find its place in a house, a restaurant, or an old villa. That remains. And when I’m no longer here one day—the tiles will still be there. And hopefully, people will know they were made with hand and heart. That’s no longer a given today.
Conclusion
Mile is the heart of the workshop—a calm yet determined hand at the craft. He speaks little, but everything he says carries weight. His experience comes from real practice: hundreds of thousands of square meters, made over more than 30 years with dedication and responsibility. That’s why our tiles are the way they are: handmade, inspected, and shaped by time-honored know-how.
If you’d like to learn more about the making and techniques behind our terracotta tiles, read our article on traditional production.
Or discover the handmade terracotta tile products in our collection.