The Ante Shade is one object in a series of home
furnishings that reference elements of nature along
with forms of abstraction. The goal of the work is to
produce visually satisfying, functional objects that
suggest our inherent ties to nature, as well the
shared human struggle as illogical, chaotic and wild.
Sustainability is represented not only as a material
necessity, but also as a psychological outlook to
connect us closer to the environment.

This design for a window treatment encapsulates side
emitting fiber optic wire sandwiched within a cotton
textile to mimic the abstract form of vines and plant
life. By day, solar energy is absorbed by the tiny,
leaf-shaped photovoltaic sensors and the silhouette
conveys these shapes. By night, the curtain glows from
within. The striking visual appeal of the textile
extends to the exterior of the home as the glow of the
fiber optics can be seen equally from outdoors,
enhancing even the most mundane urban setting.

The greater potential for this concept extends to
larger building and institutions; potentially,
corporate environments, hospitals and other
institutions, where a visual “breath” of fresh air
might be crucial to quality of life and work. By
formatting the wires differently, each shade can also
be personalized for the individual end user.

The word “ante” refers to forward thinking, as in the
evolution of forms in nature articulated here through
the combination and adaptation of basic concepts
toward a greater whole.