In 2016, Kim Richardt designed the Single Shelf and Shelf Library system for FRAMA, drawing on a strong tradition of rail shelving. As a system of unlimited expansion, the warmth of early Scandinavian modernism is adapted to contemporary practicality.
The origins of the Shelf Library are humble. This decidedly Scandinavian system has its roots in local hardware stores in Denmark almost a century ago. The FRAMA system, designed by Kim Richardt in 2016, is a reinterpretation that retains the timeless foundation of the essential shelving concept, with meticulously refined and adapted details.
"From the first half of the 20th century in Denmark, it was very common to buy a set of brackets at any hardware store and commission the local carpenter to make a custom-made shelf. Or, simply, to make it yourself."
— Kim Richardt, Designer, Shelf Library
In early versions, a readily available bracket was threaded through the wood; an economical and flexible setup for a simple open shelf, though it lacked a uniform design and dimensions. FRAMA's reinterpretation of this common construction, designed in 2016, eliminates the need to force the bracket through the shelf, as it has been precisely measured to fit its depth. It is characterized by clean, elegant lines and modern material combinations.
This approach of refining a design to its simplest and most specific form is remarkably evident throughout the history of Scandinavian design. Rail shelving systems were initially popularized by Scandinavian cabinetmakers, particularly after their inclusion in the 1940 Danish Woodworking Fair, as Richardt describes. Numerous architects and designers presented their own versions, which would become characteristic elements of the mid-century modern movement, such as Alvar Aalto in 1935, Finn Juhl and Erik Wørts in 1941, and Poul Cadovious in 1948. As Andrew Trotter, co-founder of Openhouse magazine and Studio Andrew Trotter, explains: “With its timeless simplicity, the Shelf Library system suits almost any space. Over time, the oak ages beautifully, blending seamlessly into the architecture with a vintage feel.”
This evolution continues the tradition of distilling designs to their purest and most adaptable essence, with new details, a unique language, and modular functionality. Richardt's design began with the Individual Bookshelf as a standalone piece, but with the Shelf Library system already in mind. "With fixed dimensions on all shelves, the Individual Bookshelf integrates seamlessly into the Shelf Library system, giving both designs infinite flexibility. Each component works together."
According to Stephanie Thatenhorst of Stephanie Thatenhorst Studio, who has used the Shelf Library system in interior design projects, "the Shelf Library system works both as a subtle detail in our interiors and as a striking feature. Its modular design allows it to adapt to our needs and spaces, providing flexibility and functionality."
As a system with infinite expandability, the warmth of early Scandinavian modernism blends seamlessly with contemporary practicality, with meticulous attention to detail. Just as FRAMA draws on the solid tradition of rail shelving, the Shelf Library system can also grow and expand. Contemporary technology meets the instinct of historical design.
Today, as proof of the timelessness of the original designs, first editions from the 1930s to 1950s can be found circulating at auctions, sold, or passed down through generations. This design—whether in Richardt's precise and rigorous adaptation or in an improvised edition from nearly a century ago—is not something to be discarded. The concept is timeless, as evidenced by its presence at auctions, its transmission from generation to generation, or its resale on modern platforms. This versatile shelving unit is designed to remain relevant for years to come, whether by the bedside, in the kitchen, in the office, for storage or display; allowing for infinite modularity with an aesthetic that has proven enduring.
Humble beginnings; designed to grow.
