Furniture
Shelves for Life
These shelves are designed to last you a lifetime. The wood will colour, the surfaces will mark and stain and over the years and the furniture will become a part of you.
When you die, the shelves can be taken apart and reassembled as a coffin. The brass plate under the bottom shelf, that tells the story about this transformation, is then flipped over and you’re dates inscribed on it.
The shelves were first launched at the British Library during the 2005 London Design Festival.
Please email me if you would like the measurements and instructions to build your own shelves. You will need to include your height and build. I’d like to see your homemade versions please so email me the images if you’ve made any already.
79 Responses to “Shelves for Life”
I thought it was very interesting the objects you chose to photograph the shelf with.
I am doing a project on this piece and would be interested in seeing instructions for 5′9″, 140lbs. Also if you have any user submitted images you can share. Thank you.
I first saw your Shelf for Life in 2006 – it’s great!
Please send me instructions for 6′20″, 198 lbs. Thank you!
what a good idea would love to make one as i have just less than a year, can you supply plans please, I am 5′8″ and 16 stone 50′ waist and 58 chest.
i would love to build this.
brilliant idea!
im 100kg 5ft 10
any chance you have plans etc? or a drawing
regards
brendon
I would indeed love to know how to make my own shelves for life. 6′2″, 22″ across the shoulders. Thank you much!
Dear Sir,
How Would One come across a set of plans for your “shelfs for Life” I would Love to build some as a gift.
height 5′11″ Weight 190lbs”self(gift 5′7″ 170Lbs)
[...] it is constructed of wood and designed by William Warren to weather and age with you, it might be a good idea to take care of this bookcase while you are [...]
This great. I’m definitely making one possibly two. Please sent details for:
5′10″ / 190lbs
5′9″ / 140lbs
Thank you
[...] – I think I would prefer a shroud!) For the practically-adept there were plans available for William Warren’s ‘Shelves for Life’ which can be transformed into a made-to-measure DIY [...]
1,72cm / 75kg
(5`65″ / 165lbs)
Thanks a lot for this great idea!
What kind of wood do you recommend?
Kind regards
Lachpa
Thanks so much for offering Shelves For Life for others to enjoy. What a unique idea! I need measurements and instructions for height of 5′4″ , 280 lbs, 24 inches across chest to outside of each arm. So excited to create my Shelf for Life. Thank you.
[...] memberi suatu contoh produk desain yang sangat disukainya. Produk tersebut bernama “Selves For Live” yang didisain oleh William Warren dari Inggris. Produk Warren adalah sebuah buku yang dapat [...]
Please send me the plans for making the coffin, I am 5′9″ and weigh approximately 140 lbs.
Thank you,
Travis Byrd
Hi,
Great design ….Love the look and functionality the bookshelf. I am interested in building one.
i am 5ft 11in and weigh 17st.
If you could send me build instructions i will be happy to send photos once constructed
it’s great for the most environmentally friendly economic reasons, two for the price of an object, the coffin when you die who lived with you dies with you I did not understand But how do you provide it to you the kit? How much? thanks
Thank you for this ingenious design!
Would you please send me plans?
I am 5′4″ about 165 pounds.
Many,many thanks!
Brilliant!
Would love instructions to build my own.
I am 5ft 11in and weigh 195 pounds.
Thank you!
Astrid
Greetings from the Missouri Ozarks!
Novel concept! I am interested in plans for your Shelf for Life bookshelf/casket project for (1) myself, and (2) my mother.
For Me: 5′11″ / 150 lbs.
For Mom: 5′ 2″ / 100 lbs.
Is there a charge? Thank you!
Norm
Would love to try an build one of these. I am 5′9″ and weigh 200lbs.
What a great idea! Please could you send me instructions for 6′4″ 16 stone weight. Could you also give some specifications for the timber used. Thanks!
I have just found your wesite concerning your Shelves For Life concept and design. I am interested in building a coffin for myself. Please send instructions foa a man 6ft 2in tall, weight 200 lbs and 24in across the shoulders, Thank you
I am 5′6″ and weigh 160#, I am turning 60 with the new year and I would like to try to build this for myself. Please help with the measurements? Aloha and peace Pamela
Also please send the build instructions. Aloha and peace Pamela
I am 6 ft 180 lbs and would like to build a shelf for life.
Thank you!
I would love yo make my own shelves for life 5′9”x22” 185ibs thank you dennis
Hi
great idea, love it. The books and other times on the shelves tell the story of who you are whilst alive and when you change form they do also and continue to serve you and be a part of you.
I would love info on a kit if available and would also love instructions. I am 5′8 (173cm) and 135lb (62 kg)
More than happy to provide pics
Thanks
Max
This is amazing!! Measurements are 6′4″ and 235 pounds.
Hi I absolutly love this and all you other designs would like the plans to make this is the any room in you design to move the shelves s would like to use it as a entertainment space for the tv etc.
I am 5′4 and 238 pounds
Thanks
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