A new era of 3D tiles
By Clay Imports
At Clay Imports, we aim to create the best tiles and construction products for your renovation and DIY projects. To achieve this, we constantly work with designers and builders from all over the world in order to find a new dimension. And in this new tile collaboration, designer Amy Pigliacampo took the “new dimension” part quite literally! Meet the new 3D tiles by Clay Imports, curated by Amy Pigliacampo.
Why should I use 3D tiles?
Amy Pigliacampo specializes in design and renovations, both commercial and residential, with a focus on beautiful yet functional design. She was recently trying to implement “relief” tiles, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House, and with this approach she contacted us to bring into reality her vision. If you want to know more about her design process, you can read the interview we had with Amy here.
Using 3D tiles sounds challenging, but they are as easy to work with like any Clay Imports tile. Naturally, the pieces of this collection are not recommended for floor installation; rather, they’ll be the highlight of your accent walls and backsplashes, where these tiles create focal points, adding structure, and enhancing the overall design of both modern and traditional interiors.
Unlike flat tiles, 3D tiles add depth and texture to surfaces, creating a visually dynamic effect that plays with light and shadow, bringing walls to life with movement and contrast. Also, they engage more than just the eyes—they offer a tactile element that invites people to touch and explore the surface, making spaces feel more interactive and immersive.
The Tiles
The tiles in the Amy Pigliacampo tile collaboration aim to create an ancient modern vibe. This concept is focused on contrasts: the modern design trends with timeless materials, the light and shadow plays that they create and the natural glazed colors that elevate the overall design.
Named after the spanish names of natural rock formations and classical construction using rocks, these tiles pay homage to their natural origins also in their color selection. Amy’s focus was on curating the perfect color pallet that balances ancient forms for modern designs. Colors include: Chalk White, a slightly warm contemporary white. Mamey, which is a toasted matte terracotta. A sweet light golden brown, Tequila Matte. A muted cool toned light-brown, Boot Brown, Ivy Matte, a darker bluish greenish hue. A light cool toned green, Rucksack Green and Twig, a warm beige.
Like all Clay Imports tiles, the Amy Pigliacampo 3D tile collaboration is handmade and as such exhibits natural variations, which are inherent traits of the natural materials they are made of. These variations in color, texture and sheen are not defects but rather a natural part of the product. We highly recommend ordering samples before making a final purchase to confirm and appreciate these natural variations in each tile.
Circulo
These 4” x 8” tiles feature a quarter circle in one of their corners in order to create a circle when layed out, but of course, this template is not the only design you can make with them.
Hueco
Available at the same size as Circulo, Hueco has a recessed half-oval space in one of the 4” sides creating a U shaped tile. Hueco is not only available in the solid colors as the whole collection but also is also offered in natural terracotta with the negative space in chalk white, Hueco Half Glazed Chalk. The tile features natural unsealed terracotta in the non-glazed areas, giving more natural variation and requiring sealing.
Otero
These tiles feature 3D rectangles in order to create a fluted effect. Once again, you can lay them vertically stacked to maintain the shapes or you can mix and match them to create an incredible texture. These also are available in 4” x 8” so you can’t confuse them with kit kats!
Petalito
Heavily inspired by our breeze blocks, this tile design features the same design as our beloved Petalo Breeze Block. Layed out one against each other, you’ll end up with a 8” by 8” square -just like our breeze block, but they can also shine as a wall accent and even trim, to add an elegant element to an hacienda look.
Raya and Zurco
These tile's unique design features a mix of smooth and grooved surfaces that can be used together. The grooves are reminiscent of Mexican lavaderos; spaces in all Mexican households where people used to wash their clothes by hand.
Raya has one side that is flat and smooth, while the other half has raised ridges that create a textured, ribbed pattern. Zurco on the other hand, has the ribbed pattern all across the tile.
Templo
Templo features an angular raised line that creates a sharp, asymmetrical pattern, giving the tile a sense of movement and depth. While the line could look unconventional, its roots are indicative of religious structures across the globe. Templo is the perfect choice to create interesting symmetrical designs.
Tope
With a distinctive bullnose shape, with a smooth, rounded surface that tapers off on the edges, Tope is named after speed bumps in Mexico. Although individually, they look like a tope, when installed these tiles act as an illusion, creating a veneer of large scale fluting, like an ancient building’s arcade of columns. And yes, they feel even smoother than they look.
Valle
Similar to Templo, Valle has a wider, straight crest in the middle of the tile, creating two concave spaces across the tile, creating a balanced yet dynamic visual effect that creates structure and symmetry.
Sierra
The only squared tile in the collection, Sierra features a "M" relief shape on the surfaces that creates raised and recessed areas, giving it a sculptural quality. The symmetry of the "M" shape would offer a sense of balance while also introducing dynamic lines that draw the eye across the surface.
Get your 3D tiles today!
Handcrafted in Mexico, the Amy Pigliacampo tile collaboration is a celebration of clay artists that features subtle dimensionality and modern design. Versatile and timeless, these tiles add a unique element to both contemporary and classic spaces that will be your favorite right of the box.
If you want to know more about the design process behind these fantastic tiles, you can read about the Clay SMA Studio residency Amy did in Mexico, as well as her full interview. And remember, if you have any questions or require more information, reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com.
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