Giovanni Barbieri

Tile maker

Tiles beyond the traditional tile

Giovanni designs decorative tiles made from stone or ceramic
He started out in marble and developed his skills in stone carving for interiors
He has earned prestigious international awards for his work

Giovanni Barbieri is renowned for his groundbreaking work in decorative surfaces. Merging traditional stone carving and ceramic work with innovative tile design, this master artisan reinvented the tile to include unique textures, patterns and optical effects. Giovanni started his journey in the early 1980s as a marble worker at the age of 14. In a couple of years he had begun to independently complete flooring projects in stone. He primarily collaborates with architectural firms and designers. and has become highly sought after worldwide. Giovanni received numerous international awards for his innovative stone designs, including recognition from the Red Dot Design Award and the Interior Design Best of Year Awards.

Interview

What inspires your approach to crafting with stone?: Stone is more than décor – it represents existence. My handcrafted natural stone pieces remind me of nature’s and history’s beauty. Each unique, hand-cut piece embraces imperfection. Installed on mesh with minimal joints, they bring raw authenticity, standing out in today's artificial tendencies.
How do you blend innovation with tradition in your work?: Innovation comes from tireless passion, constant experimentation, and embracing of tradition. Step by step, each test refines the vision, proving that perseverance and creativity eventually lead to unexpected and remarkable results.
What has been your most challenging project?: Without a doubt, the Blooming Wood collection. The time and investment spent were immense, but the result is extraordinary. A few key models, installed randomly, create endlessly unique textures. This achieves a fully custom design at the cost of standard production.
What do you want people to feel when they see your work?: I want my work to be instantly recognisable without my name. It should evoke intrigue, admiration, and a deep connection, leaving a lasting impression through its uniqueness, texture and authenticity.

Giovanni Barbieri is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1983