UU Tiles by Unknown, Untitled
Paris-based design studio Unknown, Untitled has unveiled UU Tiles, a collection of ceramic elements that challenges conventional interior design approaches through permanence and integrated functionality.
The project, which will be showcased at Matter & Shape in the Jardin des Tuileries from March 7 to 10, 2025, represents a decisive shift away from contemporary design's emphasis on mobility and flexibility. Instead, UU Tiles explores how sustainability can be achieved through lasting installations and multifunctional components.
"These tiles act as a physical interface between architecture and living space, effectively blurring the boundaries between objects and their environment," explained the studio.
Developed in collaboration with a historic tile manufacturer in Normandy, the collection began as a research initiative before evolving into a comprehensive system comprising plain tiles, ceramic hooks, and integrated lighting solutions.
The wall lamps and hooks are designed to blend seamlessly into the tiling due to their complementary forms, creating a cohesive visual language throughout the installation. This thoughtful integration allows for numerous combinations of colors and functions, while maintaining a minimal aesthetic.
For the Matter & Shape exhibition, Unknown, Untitled has created a distinctive installation featuring a column rising from a horizontal platform that evokes both the lobby of a 1970s condominium and a contemporary sculpture.
The studio's approach reflects their broader design philosophy: "a pursuit of design that transcends individual expression, prioritizing purpose, meticulous execution, and collaborative spirit," resulting in what they describe as "a sober and controlled aesthetic."
This balance between functionality and formal restraint characterizes the studio's work, which has implemented forward-thinking design solutions and strategic consulting worldwide since its founding.
The nature of materials, combination of functionalities, and pursuit of efficiency in material transformation inform their design process, establishing what the studio describes as "a balance between plastic richness and rationalism" that adapts to the specificities of each context.
The modernity of UU Tiles emerges paradoxically from their permanence—the enduring quality of ceramic material supporting the search for timeless forms that resist trends and planned obsolescence.
Photography by Stanislas Wolff | Art Direction by Twice studio | Set Design by Nara World
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