I recently had another project for Levis which involved deconstructing contour maps of volcanoes and giving them dimension for the windows. The styling inspiration was from an amazing ’70s rock climbing book. It reminds me of my parents (how did everyone look so good back then?!).

Pages from The Stonemasters: California Rock Climbers in the Seventies
I found too much inspiration in the maps department. And while I really have great respect for Cartographers, I would never have the patience for it.


The main inspiration was the jaw dropping ceiling of this Boston restaurant, designed by architecture firm Office dA.

Banq Restaurant design by Office dA, credit: Herzog & De Meuron

Banq Restaurant design by Office dA, credit: Herzog & De Meuron
I created the files in illustrator using the maps as guides and then converted to DXF files for the CNC machine. The idea was to have each layer on a different level but the edges all had to line up so that from the side it had “stairs” instead of gaps if that makes sense… It was a bit of a brain tweak.

Sketches from Antlre Inc. for contour map windows for Levis 2011

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011
The “maps” were turning out extremely heavy as you can imagine so we hollowed some out to make them easier to hang but they were still beasts and still needed to look cool from the backside so, the beasts won.

MAPS IN A FEILD -Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011
We used birch plywood, the layers of wood look even more intricate with the exposed sides.

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows – Levis 2011

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011

Antlre Inc. design for contour map windows for Levis 2011
The brains behind this beautiful concept was Mark Strange from Levis, good one Mark. Now I am on to figuring out how to re-purpose them, the options are endless, VERY open to suggestions!
For more cool building projects from Antlre, check out these other Imprint pieces: