Thibaut Nussbaumer
Blown glass artist
Name : Thibaut Nussbaumer
Craft : Blown glass artist
Company founded : 2017 – Atelier TiPii
Location : Toulouse, France
Instagram @tipii_atelier
www.thibautnussbaumer.com
The elegance of breath and the engineering of fire
Blown glass artist, Thibaut Nussbaumer gives rhythm to molten glass, shaping light and air through fire.
In his atelier, the glow of the flame becomes matter, and breath is frozen into unique objects,
lighting pieces or monumental sculptures.
Combining technical rigour with creative freedom, he offers architects and creatives a contemporary approach
to hand-blown glass, where each creation and bespoke project — from decorative inclusions to architectural screens,
bears the trace of an intimate dialogue with fire, shaping space and inhabiting time.
Craft and journey: from Baccarat’s
discipline to independent audacity
Originally from Alsace, Thibaut Nussbaumer discovered the craft
of glassmaking during his final year in Applied Arts, through a workshop
in Meisenthal. It was an immediate revelation — the atelier, the gesture,
the profession itself.
He trained for four years at Baccarat, acquiring the absolute discipline
of crystal-making, the precision of industrial craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of production processes.
He further refined his technical language at CERFAV, before embarking
on a European journey. In Switzerland, alongside Matteo Gonet, he contributed
to large-scale international projects for Mathieu Lehanneur and Jean-Michel Othoniel, including the glass pearls of the Bosquet du Théâtre d’Eau at Versailles. He also explored alternative workshop models and practices in Norway and Denmark, notably alongside Tobias Mohl.
In 2017, he founded TiPii in Toulouse — an atelier and artistic laboratory.
As a pioneer, he anchored his furnace in the very heart of the city, challenging
the folkloric image of glassmaking and asserting its place within contemporary creation.
Craft process and atelier: an R&D studio for glassc
A technical laboratory dedicated to glass creation and design professionals, TiPii enables Thibaut Nussbaumer
to deploy more than 18 years of expertise, translating artistic intentions — his own or those of fellow
creatives, into tangible poetry and material innovation.
Design studio and engineering
Thibaut supports his clients from the very first stages of a project. Concept ideation or development through
watercolour drawings to support visualisation, digital modelling, feasibility studies and technical sketches — these design phases make
it possible to realise bespoke glass pieces while continuously pushing the boundaries of the material and its expressive potential.
From poetic palettes of colours and finishes (Rusted Days) to sampling and prototyping, each step reflects a deep exploration
of glass and its possibilities.
The atelier also coordinates complex projects, drawing on a trusted network of partners and a thorough understanding
of architectural production and installation processes.
Creations and emblematic projects
Thibaut Nussbaumer considers glass a “vector of memory”, capable
of crystallising the fleeting beauty of a moment into matter. His works evoke
the power of the elements, organic forms, the imperfection of a wrinkle,
the rhythm of the wind and, at times, the depth of sensitive and invisible worlds.
He creates decorative objects such as La Floraison des Souffles, developed in collaboration with Laurentine Perilhou, a piece expressing vegetal resilience and the bond between mineral and plant, blending glass and gold in a delicate material dialogue. His ethereal lighting pieces — inspired by the colours of the sky, droplets and clouds — are conceived as “electrified luminous works”, positioned between functional object and artwork.
Works from the Apnées series have entered the boutiques of a major French luxury house in Hong Kong and Seoul. La Chèvre d’Or will feature blown-glass sculptures for its new 2026 table concept, while RDAI has also commissioned him for glass projects. In lighting design, he created Sublimations, a suspension for the hotel-restaurant Auprès d’Angèle (Bras family), and collaborates with Christian Liaigre, Studio Balbosté and Pierre Yovanovitch.
A dream project:
taking glass where it has
never been, giving form to what
does not yet exist.
A deep devotion to long timeframes
and timeless objects
For Thibaut, glass is a material that demands humility. A passion both “unreasonable and all-consuming”, it leads him to work within the constraints
of heat and matter.
He sees each object as a “future heritage”: glass is a material that endures, outlives its maker, is passed on, transformed, recycled and re-used.
For several years, the atelier has collaborated with RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité), transforming electrical insulators into exceptional pieces, notably in collaboration with Cécile Derien for the Librairie des Halles
de la Cartoucherie in Toulouse.
These works sit at the intersection of intimacy, design and craftsmanship.
Blown glass permanently captures the artisan’s breath — the maker’s DNA,
in a physical, almost quantum poetry.
Showroom and sharing: the beating heart of the atelier
Thibaut’s atelier is a place of exploration and transmission.
Behind the wooden floor of the exhibition space, the furnace and flames remain visible.
Architects, interior designers and specifiers are welcomed to discover the pieces, experience the material,
discuss their projects and initiate sampling and development phases.
LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the atelier operate?
TiPii is a laboratory for experimentation and creation centred on hand-blown glass techniques. It is the design and production tool conceived by Thibaut Nussbaumer to develop his own work and to support architects and designers in bringing their glass projects to life.
What can be created?
Decorative objects, lighting pieces, glass screens to structure spaces and shape light, blown-glass inclusions within partitions or bespoke installations… The physical possibilities of glass are almost limitless, and Thibaut translates even the most daring ideas into technical and artistic realities.
Can the atelier collaborate with other crafts for turnkey solutions?
Yes. Thibaut regularly works with a network of partners — notably for lighting electrification in compliance with regulations — and can coordinate multiple crafts on complex projects.
What are the limits?
In terms of dimensions, the furnace allows pieces up to 50–60 cm in length and 30–40 cm in diameter, with endless compositional possibilities.
Project credits
Floraison des Souffles – Thibaut Nussbaumer X Laurentine Perilhou |
Oeuf d’Or Pontil flamme – TiPii Atelier X Cacaofages | Ondes de Conques – Thibaut Nussbaumer |
A specific project? Let’s talk
Every project deserves individual attention. Whether it’s a custom development, a specific project,
or a request for samples, contact us to share your project, your constraints, or your inspirations.
We would be delighted to discuss with you and connect you with Thibaut Nussbaumer.