The accident that destroyed my studio and my wood kiln imposed new constraints. Over the last two years, those constraints have become a source of research.
I returned to a model I had encountered before: the Chinese Mantou kiln. I built an experimental kiln, and on December 31, 2025, it produced results strong enough to go further. The next step is a larger kiln, closer to the Mantou concept in its actual form.
My aim is a charcoal-fired kiln combining several principles: clean combustion (smokeless), a fast firing, low fuel consumption, and a wide range of firing effects enabled by the kiln’s shape.
I also extend this approach to the kiln’s very material: the clay body used for its walls is part of the research. I continue to refine it to reduce environmental impact while exploring material at its root.
Photos by David Louveau & Anne-Laure Camilleri