Beyond the Basics: Innovative Ways Designers Are Using Klay

Klay prides itself on crafting design-forward clay architectural products. But as it turns out, architects and designers are using these products in ways we never could have imagined. From sculptural installations to functional furniture, Klay is stepping off the wall and into the unexpected.

Step by Step: A Stacked Approach to Creative Freedom

When House & Leisure set out to create a show-stopping installation, they turned to Klay’s screen blocks. By stacking the blocks in a tiered formation, they created a stepping stone to inspiration. To top it off, they opted to paint the blocks in a soft, neutral hue, showing the versatility of Klay’s natural materials. The result is a highly personalised piece that bridges architecture and art, and proves that when it comes to design, screen blocks can absolutely rise to the occasion.

Set the Scene: Klay’s Screen Blocks Spotlight African Design

Another favourite is seeing Klay’s screen blocks being used in Design Week South Africa’s innovative plinths showcasing Africa Chair Week 2024. The show highlighted art from South Africa, Mali, Zimbabwe, Burkina, Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Mozambique, and more – all beautifully spotlighted on Klay’s natural terracotta screen blocks.

Display of Strength: Retail Gets the Klay Treatment

Retail spaces are embracing earthy elegance, and brands like Earth Age and Birkenstock are leading the way by using Klay screen blocks to build sculptural product displays that double as design statements. Whether stacked to create tiered shelving or arranged to frame hero products, Klay’s terracotta blocks bring a raw, grounded feel to the retail environment.

A Contemporary Take on Hospitality Design

Who says shower walls need to be glass or tile? In a contemporary twist, Zarah Riley Designs used Klay’s Single Pane screen blocks to create a semi-private shower wall in Spioenkop’s luxury guest house, replacing the expected with something far more expressive. This modern wet room is the perfect level of intimacy and openness, a fresh minimalist approach that celebrates natural terracotta. Zara Riley continued the terracotta inspiration into the bedroom, where the same Single Pane screen blocks are used as an innovative solution to a simple corner desk.

Bound to Impress: A Novel Use For Klay

Designers and stylists are now using Klay’s screen blocks as everyday décor too. We’ve spotted the Zen screen block and Imperial bricks on @thelookbooks bookshelf on Instagram, as well as a sneaky styling feature in their collaboration with Plascon. The weight, texture, and geometric cutouts of Klay’s products make them both functional and visually intriguing. It’s a small-scale example of just how versatile Klay can be. (And at the Klay office, Latte screen blocks are currently moonlighting as bookends!)

These stories prove that with Klay, there is no limit. Their clay products were born from a love of natural materials and timeless design, but we’re constantly amazed by how far that vision can stretch. From large-scale builds to tiny touches, the design possibilities are truly endless with Klay.