Project Timespan
September 2017
Inspiration
El Cóndor por Pablo Neruda
Ever since the first time I managed to get access to a laser cutter, sometime in summer of 2017, I have wanted to make a topographic map. Bathymetric and topographic maps have always fascinated me – when one strolls along the streets of a city, one doesn’t necessarily appreciate the city organization and how it relates to natural features such as water and elevation. In addition, there is a certain fascination with viewing a city from a bird’s-eye vantage, far up in the sky, aloof from the cars and pedestrians below. My mind jumps to the fable of Daedalus and his son, or the poem El Cóndor by Pablo Neruda, which I reproduce below (I only know this poem because I had to memorize it for high school Spanish, not because I am well-read on Chilean poetry).
El Cóndor by Pablo Neruda
Yo soy el cóndor, vuelo
sobre ti que caminas
y de pronto en un ruedo
de viento, pluma, garras,
te asalto y te levanto
en un ciclón silbante
de huracanado frío.
Y a mi torre de nieve,
a mi guarida negra
te llevo y sola vives,
y te llenas de plumas
y vuelas sobre el mundo,
inmóvil, en la altura.
Materials
> Baltic Birch Plywood, 1/8″: I obtained this from a local furniture workshop, but plywood can be found online or at big box stores
> Wood project panel, 11″ x 14″ x 1.5″: From Dick Blick Art Materials
> Wood stain, some brownish color and some bluish color: Probably from Amazon.
> Black and white acrylic, 1/8″ and 1/4″, provided by school workshop
> MDF, 1/8″, provided by school workshop
Project Overview
This project marked my first big foray into laser cut design. While I had previously had a series of Benjamin Franklin Warhol art, most of the projects I had done up to this point consisted of designs I found on the web. I decided to choose University City, Philadelphia, as my area of interest given that I had spent the majority of the past four years there.
1. Designing the Map
The tutorial I followed to make the topographic map came from Scott Shambaugh, who detailed the process for his map of Portland, ME. Feel free to follow along with his tutorial.
In synopsis, the process involved first finding topographic data of the city of interest (in my case, Philadelphia). I don’t remember exactly which databases I found, but I was able to extract out several types of data, including major and minor street centerlines, building outlines, park outlines, and railroads. I also found digital elevation map (DEM) files that provided elevation. I imported all of this information into QGIS and followed Scott’s tutorial to export everything as scalar vector graphic (.svg) format.
I don’t actually recall having access to Adobe Illustrator at the time, but looking back at the files I saved, I did have saved images of representative slices of University City at sea level, 30 feet, 60 feet, and 90 feet contours.
A few points to note about these images: 1, In terms of elevation, 0 feet indicates 0-29, 30 feet indicates 30-59, and so on; 2. To decrease the runtime of laser cutting, I removed aspects of lower layers that would be covered by higher layers; 3. The double-rectangular border marks the actual map boundary; 4. I chose to frame the map with the Schuylkill river as a focal point running down the center.
2. MDF University City
The MDF University City maps comprised four layers, corresponding to the 0 feet, 30 feet, 60 feet, and 90 feet elevation levels. The bottom layer, 0 feet, also had a built-in display border; the bottom band also carried the text “University City, Philadelphia.” I designed a pair of half-lap style feet for display. What I like the most of this design is that the Schuylkill river itself is cut out such that the viewer can see the background beyond. Measuring approximately 6″ x 8″, the map is relatively small and simple to cut out, so I made three of them in total.
If I had to do it again: I wouldn’t change the design, but I would swap out the MDF for Baltic birch. The final product also turned out slightly burnt from the heat of the laser, which indicates that a light sanding or wipe down is in order.
3. Acrylic University City
Next up is the acrylic University City. The design itself is a replica of the MDF version with regards to the topography, per se. However, I incorporated a 1/4″ white acrylic background to give maximal contrast between the river and ground. I also added the University of Pennsylvania logo within the map itself.
If I had to do it again: I appreciate the black and white contrast, but I think street lines are too difficult to make out. One method to clarify the street lines would be to vector etch a layer of street lines, then apply tinted filler of some kind, rub off the excess, and place the layer back in the laser cutting bed to raster etch the building footprints. This hypothetical process is somewhat complicated, so acrylic is perhaps not the best choice of material in hindsight!
4. Baltic Birch University City
For the final iteration of this project, I used a frame from Blick’s Art Materials. As the depth of the frame was ~1.5″, I wanted to incorporate more 1/8″ layers which also serves to accentuate the vertical topographic changes. I stained bottom of the frame blue and the frame itself a nice, warm brown color. For each layer, I first stained the Baltic birch ply so that I would be able to create contrast through raster etching the building footprints. Each of these layers represent a ten foot change in height.
For the back of the frame, I etched a portrait of Benjamin Franklin that I used previously for the Benjamin Franklin Warhol project.
If I had to do it again: Perhaps it would be nice to have a title on the bottom of the frame. I also would have been better off not re-staining the Benjamin Franklin design on the back. Otherwise, I am very much satisfied with the turnout of this project.
Lessons Learned & Improvements
During the course of the project, I really gained some understanding of the tradeoffs of working with MDF, acrylic, and Baltic birch. MDF, with its inexpensive cost and decent ability to hold detail, would be my choice for a first-pass prototype at a project. A major drawback of MDF, obviously, is the vulnerability to moisture. Acrylic, a more durable material, provides pure, solid swathes of color that draw in the eye. Moreover, the brilliant reflection of acrylic offers certain design possibilities over MDF or Baltic birch. It is certainly not cheap, though! Baltic birch, the material I settled upon for my final iteration of the project, brings the natural beauty and warmth of wood and is my personal favorite choice for wooden maps.
Writing more than a few years after I made these pieces, I do have a few design updates that I would want to consider. For one, while I do think that Baltic birch plywood offers the best balance of beauty, detail, and durability, it would be really cool to highlight certain features with MDF or acrylic. For example, by using acrylic inlay as city footprints, the reflection of light will bring the buildings out – almost with a pseudo-three-dimensional effect. I have also considered pouring epoxy for the river – I am pretty confident this would really make the Schuylkill pop out, though I harbor reservations as to how clean I can make the pour.
Reflection
Topographic maps are a nice talking point when one has guests over, especially if the person is familiar with the area depicted. I find that this map brings out much nostalgia for me as I recall the cherished memories I made in Philly.