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.
33 Responses to “Shelves for Life”
Brilliant. Please send measurements and instructions for building. Height 5′10″ Weight (209 pound = 1.87 hundredweight [long, UK]) or (209 pound = 14.93 stone) – Thank you
I have shared the site with several friends. Who would have known someone could be so inventive! Please send instructions for 6 feet height, and average build (around 200lbs). Thank you for offering the instructions.
[...] 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 [...]
[...] 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 [...]
[...] но и после. Дизайн с каплей черного юмора разработал William Warren. После смерти, родственники умершего смогут просто [...]
[...] После кончины Ваши близкие своими руками разберут этот шкаф и соберут гроб. Идея “зеленого” дизайна, доведенная до абсурда. Этот концепт был представлен в Лондоне на London Design Festival, автор – дизайнер William Warren. [...]
This is a version in English by Google Translator:
After the death of your loved ones with their own hands will disassemble this cabinet and lay the coffin. The idea of “green” design, carried to the absurd. This concept was presented in London at the London Design Festival, the author – designer
I like this translation. It calls me absurd and assumes we will die at the hands of our loved ones.
This is a great idea!
Would you send me the instructions as well? I’m 6 feet tall and my weight is average, I suppose.
[...] Burada “Kullanma Kılavuzu” ve Tasarımcının Sayfası [...]
please send me the instructions for my husband – he loves playing with bits of wood and will get a real kick out of this – his height is 5′8″ and he is of average build )approx 12st.
Thanks
Maggie
What an excellent public service! Please will you send me instructions to build my final resting case; I’m 5′10” (1.75m) tall, about 11 stone (70kg), average build for my height and weight. Thank you.
Google translate says: “Would you like to have coffins that you use your library for years?”
I would love to build one of these. I am 5′ 10″ and weight of 200.
Thank you.
Mark
Thanks Mark, I’ll get the drawings out to you soon. W
I would love to build one of these. I am 5′ 5″ and weight of 135.
Would you send me the instructions as well? I’m 5 foot 5 feet tall and my weight is average, I suppose.
In most cases I do not make comments on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so. Really nice post!
I would be interested in building these for my husband and myself. Nothing like it that I have seen.
I am 5′2″ and 160# and shoulder width of 20″. My husband is 5′11″, 160 lbs. and 22″ shoulder width.
Thank you,
Cheryl
[...] http://www.williamwarren.co.uk/2009/10/shelves-for-life/ Ваш комментарий будет первым. [...]
Hi William,
Great design!….Love both the look and functionality the bookshelf. I am really interested in building one.
i am 6ft and weigh 85kgs.
If you could send me build instructions i would be happy to send detailed photos once constructed.
I work in a funeral home in France and I just discovered this? it’s amazing ! I know it wouldn’t be allowed here, but funny funeral things are really to be seen in the UK !
Dear William
Since the death of my mother, I’ve become increasingly concerned that when I fall off my perch, it won’t be into an MDF box which has been given the name of a castle. Your shelf coffin is quite beautiful in its sleekness, and I know that it’s exactly where I want to spend my days of decomposition. Also, my cookery books are homeless, and they’d look smart in there. Please could you send me instructions? I’m 5′1″ and medium build. Thank you in anticipation.
very appealing !
would like plans for a 100kg – 5ft 8ins bod !! (good looking !!!)
thanks and cheers
bill
Hello
I would like to make your shelves, I think they’re wonderful.
I work for a sustainable living charity, http://www.afsl.org.uk I know our newsletter subscribers would like to see this.
I am 5foot9inches and 10stone7pounds
Thank you
Annabel
Would you send me Coffin Shelf Plans for 1.85 meters/88kg.
Thanks
Mike
Hello,
My daughter and I would like to make your shelves, what a great idea. I’m 5′6″ 72kg and she is 5′4″ 63kg.
Warm regards
Laura
I requested a pattern for the shelves and did not get it yet.
Hi,
And thank you for your offering as my husband and I do not plan on spending what little we have to bury each other expensively. We also like the idea of making a pair together. I am 5′5″ and he is 6′4″. We appreciate this very much. Sincerely, Wayne and Jo
Blast, forgot “the build”: 5′5″, 188lbs & 6′4″, 250lbs. Thanks again! Jo
I’d love instructions for somebody 5 foot 4 and average build please! Thanks so much for making this available!
I’ve been looking at vehicles acting as motorcars before finally being used as coffins, but your idea is so much better! A nice homely addition until not required vertically any more. I’d love to have instructions for building one — I’m 1,85 metres weighing 80 kg.
Many thanks
George Murray
I am interested in building one of these. I am 1,70 meters and 85kg.
Thank You. And thank you for this great idea.
Good afternoon! I wood love to have a set of plans for myself. I am a book lover and woodworker and to combine my two great passions and help my family in the end know my final wishes would be wonderful. I am 5′ 7″ 195lbs. Thank you for your gift of this beautiful and multi-functional work of art.