Custom Shelves and Seating Design; Beginning to End
MCV designed custom shelving and seating for a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn, NY. In this article we are excited to show you the full process from initial design studies through to the completed install.
Design Studies
The design project entails a full length of shelving along the south living room wall which faces the street, the shelving was to be used as a display for books and objects while also acting as a bench. With these parameters in mind we visited the apartment and measured the living room space to ensure we have accurate dimensions for our studies. We then worked through a series of iterations studying different ideas and materials. After discussing these options with the owner we were able to finalize the design and move forward with an airy open structure that allows natural light into the space. For the construction of the shelving we used affordable and readily available materials, ¾” steel tubing and baltic birch plywood.
Design Study A
Design Study B
Design Study C
Final Selected Design
Technical Drawings
Prior to fabrication we created a series of technical construction drawings that included specifications for the materials and overall dimensions of all elements in the design. This drawing package is then shared with the fabricators who will follow the documents closely to ensure all design intent is met.
3D Drawing, All Shelving Modules
Module A, Detailed Drawings
Fabrication
With the technical drawings in hand, the steelworker was responsible for the structural steel tube fabrication, including cutting and welding which was completed in approximately one week. The steel tube structure was then delivered to a powder coating company who painted the shelves with a gloss white finish. A digital file was provided to the woodworker who used a CNC router to cut the baltic birch wood shelves, they were then stained and glued. The painted steel tubing and wood shelves were assembled on-site with wood screws.
Steelworker fabrication shop
Module C prior to painting
Powder coating shop
Completed Project
The final custom shelving was installed last week and was designed to stretch across the entire front wall of the living room. The top of the lower shelves are strong enough to be used as a bench, while the vertical tower is placed between the windows efficiently holding books and the television. The entire process from initial design studies to final installation was approximately two months.
