Modular Shelf System – FineWoodworking

The original version of this shelving unit stood in the home of my childhood friend, Max. It was designed and built by his father, Konrad Rieger, an architect, who received his training at the Berlin University of the Arts in the 1960s. Rieger’s Bauhaus background shines through in the clean functionality of the shelf design. For my own version, I staggered the shelves and varied their lengths and widths, added underbevels to lighten their visual weight, and tweaked a few other details. Just like Rieger’s originals, however, these shelves support rows of heavy art books without sagging.

Easily scaled to fit your space, this modular system is fully adjustable, thanks to a sturdy peg system. It also knocks down and transports easily if you need to relocate it. And unlike many other woodworking projects, the whole thing can be made and installed in a weekend or two.

The project…