In Conversation with Michael Karakolis from Fibonacci Stone.

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If you’re a regular around our design-centric corner of the internet, you may recall this article on Fibonacci Stone in which I spoke of my personal history with the Australian terrazzo brand and my ongoing appreciation of their product. Over the last 15 months, Team Yellowtrace has absolutely loved working with and getting to know Team Fibonacci, lead by an extremely passionate and dedicated human being, Michael Karakolis. This guy is literally obsessed, and I mean freaking OBSESSED with terrazzo. For real. So… I thought it was only fitting we got to know the man behind the brand a bit better, and took a deep dive inside his brain.

I feel crazy excited to shine a spotlight on Michael’s ferocious determination, unwavering passion and inspiring outlook on business and the world around us, not to mention give you new insight into Fibonacci’s incredibly diverse terrazzo range. I hope you enjoy our beautiful short video, which, to me, captures the very essence of Fibonacci. Also, read on for my in-depth chat with Michael about what drives him, his profound respect for our amazing local design community, his die-hard obsession with terrazzo, and so much more.

Inside one of Fibonacci Stone’s warehouses in Melbourne. Photography by Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Fibonacci terrazzo goodness. Photography by Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

BTS of the video shoot with Michael Karakolis. Photography by Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

DTH: Please introduce yourself and what you do.

MK: My name is Michael Karakolis and I am the Founder and Director of Fibonacci Stone.
I am very product-centric, so much of my time is spent sourcing raw materials, creating prototypes and spending many hours on the production line.
All our products are produced in Europe, so every 6 weeks I spend 3 weeks at our manufacturing facilities ensuring our quality standards are met. Our products are evolutionary and so I need to be immersed in my situation.

DTH: That sounds like a dream gig!

MK: I hope you don’t have travel envy. Just to clarify, when I say Europe, I mean Shitsville Europe and there’s nothing glamorous about that.
We are not just an importer of someone else’s product, a lot goes into what we do, none of which is possible without good systems and processes, but most importantly a great and committed team that supports me every step of the way.

Fatimas Reflection by Fibonacci Stone.

Lands Edge by Fibonacci Stone.

Slab Range by Fibonacci Stone.

Act Three Slab Range by Fibonacci Stone.

DTH: Why did you first establish Fibonacci Stone?

MK: Many reasons come to mind when I’m asked why I established the business and the answer at times is simple and at times is complex. I’m a deep thinker so let me try my best to keep it brief.
I didn’t come from a family of business people however I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so my sense for adventure is part of the reason. I also knew that establishing Fibonacci Stone would allow me to travel, which for me resonated as I am a big believer in the path less travelled, and that quite often you need to travel long and far in order to change something, experience or see something new. Experience is the greatest education. I always say to my team – knowledge is power and chance favours the prepared mind.
But the main reason was, and still is, my family. I wanted to be in a position where if my family needed support, I could help. This hasn’t always been the case, as when you start in business, you’re very naïve. I guess if you know what you’re going to be up against you probably won’t take the first step. Like they say, “Smart has the brains, stupid has the balls.”
More specifically I wanted to create change, live an extraordinary life, not settle but pursue, take the road less travelled, that sort of thing. To have a team, be responsible for them and most importantly set an example for my daughter, who was washing and packing samples since she was 10. Setting an example for her really matters and it’s amazing what you can endure when so much is at stake, so quitting was never an option no matter how hard it got.
But I think overall, after 15 years I believe it’s about possibilities. I like to live in a state of mind where you can dream and imagine things better, to have the courage to give it a go, to overcome adversity and become stronger challenging the status quo. This I believe makes for a worthwhile and interesting life.

Fibonacci Stone Library. Photo by Haydn Cattach.

Michael Karakolis in his happy place, leaning against a stack of Fibonacci terrazzo slabs. Photo by Haydn Cattach.

DTH: When did you become so obsessed with terrazzo? What is it about the material that makes it so special and that you love about it the most?

MK: I spent many years as an architectural draftsman and I was exposed to a variety of different products and materials. Few products are truly unique, I mean the ones that can’t be replicated. These are the materials that contribute to great projects. Terrazzo is exactly this, highly unique and very architectural.
People looked at terrazzo as a ‘retro’ product whereas I viewed terrazzo for what it is which is a technique, or method to create. A material that evolved from upcycling or recycling waste material then opened the door to infinite possibilities. It has the perfect balance between its natural components and its human influence. It’s a true partnership and why each created product is unique.
This level of uniqueness and endless possibilities fit right into what Fibonacci needed. Something to create, to protect – something that mattered. It’s why it makes sense in the context of our company and why we love our products so much. They are an extension of what we believe in.
My obsession with terrazzo continues to grow as designers use our products, and when seeing their projects come to life with our products being used in different ways, only compels me to do more – to create more. It’s a great feeling when somebody compliments you on your creation, through their creation.

The Australian Ballet Refurbishment in Melbourne by HASSELL Studio features specially developed Fibonacci terrazzo inspired by ballerina slippers. Read the whole story here. Photography by Lillie Thompson.

DTH: How do you come up with your various product ranges? Is there a formula you usually follow? And what are your key sources of inspiration? How do these inform what you do?

MK: I see our product as very emotive and so I like to experience and expose myself to various areas of inspiration which include Nature, Architecture and Interiors (old and new) and Fashion. However, I guess I don’t focus on these areas specifically, but more so collectively. I pick up inspiration from day to day life and sometimes like with Fatima’s Reflection – people are the source of my inspiration.
There is no set formula that I follow. I aim for each product to have its own identity but also to be part of a collection. Every product needs to be able to be a hero in the design or a subtle backdrop.
It’s the subtle characteristics that makes our products special, the ones that appear when you look at the sample a second or third time, or when putting together a materials board. This is when you really start to see the Fibonacci difference. We get there through constant refinement of each product during the design process.

The post In Conversation with Michael Karakolis from Fibonacci Stone. appeared first on Yellowtrace.

https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/fibonacci-stone-michael-karakolis-video-interview-terrazzo-supplier-australia/

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