Stepping into a lockable bathroom stall, one expects a degree of privacy, but for those with shy bladders, this interior tiling strategy may prove problematic.

Designed by Gyva Grafika in Lithuania, the tyles tap into a well-known aesthetic of conventional mass-housing modules — graying buildings where individual differences emerge in the details of habitation rather than the architecture.

Closed shutters, broken glass, hanging clothes and bemused onlookers populate the walls of the stall, while decorative touches like houseplants and custom curtains add some flair and color to the otherwise brownish background.

The custom tiles wrap the space, starting a few feet up (around waist high) and continuing for five tile lengths to around eye level — together, they form a kind of inverted five-story facade, wrapping but facing inward.

The source is not just imaginary, either — these actual photos were taken in the same neighborhood as the project, so locals might even see themselves staring back at them.

The work conjures to mind projects by artists like Evol, whose miniature streetscapes bare a remarkable resemblance — little villages of mass-produced housing units set into unexpected contexts.

Elon Musk is attacking the question of energy storage and consumption at home, first with electric cars, then with home batteries and now the final piece of the puzzle: solar panels people will actually want to show off.

Developed in collaboration with 3M, their semi-translucent Solar Roof tiles cost less than ordinary roofs, insulate better and best of all they generate energy to charge your electric batteries (Powerwall) and automobiles (Model X). This is effectively the final piece of the ‘smart house’ puzzle, completing the circuit to facilitate the future of sustainable-energy homes.

The three-layered design features a normal solar panel at the bottom with a film on top that renders it invisible from below but operational under the sun’s rays coming from above. At the top is a tempered glass that is shatter-resistant, making it more durable than conventional clay (with a lifespan well beyond the typical 20-year roof).

Aside from these benefits, perhaps the single biggest selling point is the array of material styles: Textured Glass, Slate Glass, Tuscan Glass and Smooth Glass. It may sound superficial but looks matter — neighbors complain and residents shy away from too-overt solar tech attached to their house.

And people trust Tesla to do more than make better technology: they expect a high level of visual design as part of the package. Also, since they are all coming from the same collection of companies, one can expect superior installation and integration options tying Tesla cars, Powerwalls and Solar Tiles together. Between the tech and its brand backing, this development promises to boost solar adoption to new heights.

With a history of use in human structures dating back to the 13th century BCE, decorative tilework has adapted along with our tastes and manufacturing abilities to become even more beautiful and versatile than ever before. Moving beyond colorful mosaics into the minimalism and multipurpose-loving 21st century, these beautiful and often surprisingly innovative modern-day spins on the age-old wall and floor covering expand into 3D textures, color-changing abilities and unusual materials.

Modular Planter Tiles

These modular concrete tiles are designed specifically for vertical use on a wall, full of irregular organic cutouts that are ready to be planted. The triangle-shaped tiles by French designer Benjamin Pawlica can fit together in different ways to create mini planters of various sizes, and look cool even when there’s no greenery installed.

Jungle Tile

Sometimes, the biggest impact is still made in a more conventional way, like this gorgeous series of murals painted onto the tile surfaces of Casa Cook Hotel in Greece. Artist Karina Eibatova created a custom jungle scene full of exotic animals and lush greenery, contrasting with the neutrals of the hotel decor.

Tiles Made From Plastic Crates

Would you ever think to notice that an ordinary polypropylene crate has a pretty cool geometric grid as the base of its design? Dutch designer Maaike Roozenburg did, and paid tribute to the structure by reproducing it on tile. “I wanted to show the clear and distinct aesthetics of mass-production by enhancing it with ‘classical’ ceramic techniques and materials. The behavior and ‘running’ of the glazes function as a dissonant on the crates’ structures and grids. Instead of putting industrial mass-production and ‘traditional’ crafts opposite each other I want to combine them and let them amplify and enrich each other, thus creating a parallel between used techniques and the design theme.”

Tiles That Change Color with Exposure to Heat

Hot water or even the touch of your hands and feet make these tiles from Moving Color shift hues, making any environment where they’re installed a dynamic, constantly changing space. Made of 20-80% recycled materials, the tiles change color in gradual steps through the color spectrum as they warm up for an iridescent rainbow effect.

Cuidad Tile

Inspired by Mexico City’s landscape, Nel Colectivo’s ‘Cuidad Tiles’ contain skyscraper-like elements that jut out from the urban grid. The tiles are made from fine-ground marble dust set in a cement mold using a hydraulic press, and some are different from others to create a varied, city-like pattern when put together.

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Slated For Greatness 15 Innovative Modern Tile Designs

A puzzle of layers rather than pieces, each of this spray-painted works takes aesthetic cues from historic Barcelona, deploying them in novel contexts using unexpected materials.

Catalan artist Javier de Riba creates these vibrant works with stencils, one of the original tools of the street artist, bringing them to life so well they could be confused for glass or ceramic tiles.

His target locations vary, but his pieces can sometimes be found on sidewalks or the ramps at skate parks, though the floors of abandoned buildings are a popular pick. Deserted places make it easier to take time with a given work, but also add to the element of surprise when discovered by others.

Some are composed in square frames, though many break borders and some even wrap curve surfaces or sweep across entire floors. Currently, some of his work is on display at the Miscelanea gallery in Barcelona, including a large site-specific installation.

Blend right into urban surfaces, from the walls of subway stations to the marble in museums and courthouses, with this line of architectural camouflage shirts, pants and accessories. A collaboration between design firm Snarkitecture and custom print company Print All Over Me, the line takes architectural patterns from public places all over New York City and translates them into fashion.

The prints not only honor iconic minimalist patterns that have been an integral part of the city’s visual identity for decades, it enables the wearer to blend into urban environments. The effect can be pretty impressive, as seen in the collection’s promotional images.

“The starting point was this idea of creating moments of architectural confusion, where you become visually lost within different material surfaces,” says Snarkitecture, a Brooklyn-based collaborative practice known for its unexpected installations, like all-white airball machines at Miami’s coolest modern parking garage.

The Architectural Camouflage collection is available now at Print All Over Me, ranging from $38-$145, including a backpack, a baseball hat, a jumpsuit and a rain coat. Got an idea of your own? Anyone can upload images to create custom garments, home accessories and other items at PAOM.

Check out more urban camouflage, from body painting and bizarre costumes to disappearing cars.