Where Storage Meets Display

When Russian-born architect Andrei Saltykov designed his home in the UK, he put his love of the USA on the shelf. Saltykov came up with the idea for his highly functional work of wall art after living in Washington, DC, while working on a building for Richard Rogers. He saw a map of the country made from license plates and eventually put the concept to use in his new house in London, the first project of his practice Saltykov & Lacey.

When Russian-born architect Andrei Saltykov designed his home in the UK, he put his love of the USA on the shelf. Showing off his library wasn’t Saltykov’s only aesthetic aim, though. Within the map he fastened 600 tiny Christmas tree lights that represent the nation’s major cities. See more about the USA-shaped shelf here. Photo by Will Pryce.