Everyone has their method of organizing their belongings, as well as their standards for what constitutes tidiness and neatness. However, furniture manufacturers frequently must cater to a broader demographic, necessitating the sacrifice of some details to ensure the product's success with the most significant number of customers. Of course, modular and customizable furniture lets us swap out individual pieces, but these options are usually subject to a set of restrictions. It may seem like a modular shelf would have the same limitations as other modular shelves, but this one is nothing like your typical piece of wooden furniture. You can arrange the shelves in whatever way you choose because Ledoux doesn't have a set design and leaves that decision up to you every day of the week.
Each shelf has multiple levels to store various-sized items. Some have consistent gaps, while others seem to have varying heights. While most shelves are simply boxes, some are reduced to a wooden frame. Most of the time, you'll have to make do with the supplies you already have; even if you invest in modular shelves that allow you to add or remove components, their capacity may be constrained.
Ledoux deviates from these conventional views by questioning what a shelf is. Indeed, there are still "floors" for storing things, but the shelves' traditional square or rectangle shape isn't adhered to by any of the individual wooden "floors." Some are more circular, and those are more square. Some of them can't be classified as regular geometric shapes. The best part is that you can stack them however high you like and in whatever order you choose, even if some have to be left out.
A wooden spine takes center stage here, and it looks the part. Any of these shelves can be inserted into the slits between the boxes that make up the column. It's possible to center them altogether or to move them to the left or right. You are free to use as much imagination as you like or to stick to more conventional modes of thought. You can change your mind about the initial arrangement at any time. Assuming, of course, that you are prepared to put in the effort required to move your stuff and then replace it.
Even more intriguing is that Ledoux serves as more than just a shelf. Depending on how you set it up, you can use the lower section of the shelf as a desk, freeing up valuable storage space for your most essential office supplies. It may not be as functional as a dedicated desk due to the absence of drawers, but the owner of this shelf is likely too quirky to want a conventional desk anyhow.
A modular system like this is fascinating even without the unusual shelf shapes. The ability to arrange shelves however one sees fit is a freeing feature. However, this also allows them never to change the decor again, as the furniture will always be a conversation piece no matter where it is placed.
Natalie Shook's husband, the architect Wes Rozen, collaborated with her on this Piscina design.
