The 'Lypt' Bookcase

The lypt bookcase was inspired by the curves and red spine of eucalyptus leaves. The red panel and aperture combined to create a focus for the design.

After the design was finalised I made a 1:5 maquette which resulted in a few tweaks to the proportions and highlighted a number of construction issues.

The first of these was how to create a predictable curve in the panels. The solution was to make a number of test pieces and plot a graph of the degree of spring-back. I then built two single-sided formers that would survive the pressures inside a vacuum bag.

The 'S' panel would be made in a conventional two-piece former.

The end result was gratifyingly accurate with the worst variance being 8mm over a 1200mm span.

The other issue the maquette revealed was how to join the curved panels to the dowel. On the maquette the simplest way was to slot the dowel and glue the panels in. As you might expect, the solution scaled-up well with the aid of a custom jig and a biscuit joiner.

The lypt was finished in scarlet spirit stain with acid-catalysed lacquer and assembled. I was helped along the way by several people; Richard Dann, Steve Wallace and Ray Calligaro, but particularly by sculptor, Eric Schneider.