THE SHELF 1.0

In 2016, I moved into a small little apartment in Brooklyn, where space was a premium commodity. The need for storage and a multi-functional solution led me to design and build a shelving system that could solve our problems while also serving as a desk/eating solution.

I started by sketching out various designs and taking measurements for the different lengths of pipes and fittings required for the specific construction. Once the black 3/4” steel pipes arrived, I had to clean them before construction, which was a time-consuming but essential step.

Unlike other designs found online, my unit had to be freestanding, as it couldn't be fastened to the wall or floor to be renter-friendly. Thus, it required twice as much pipe and twice as much planning to ensure that it could stand on its own.

Once the skeleton was built, I measured the desired lengths for the wooden surfaces and cut them to size. I then secured them to the pipes with pipe clamps and screws, completing the shelving system's construction.

The end result was a functional, space-saving, and renter-friendly shelving system that served multiple purposes. The shelving system was both a storage solution and a desk/eating area, with enough space to store items while providing a practical workspace.

Overall, this project was a great learning experience and a testament to the benefits of planning and designing a custom solution that meets specific needs.