When I first saw the Darwin BookCase, I was instantly reminded of Linda Bergroth's Igloo shelving system I saw at the Habitare show in Helsinki. Igloo, like Martin Born's Crate Shelf, was part of the Protoshop collection of the best prototypes by designers working in Finland.
The images depict Igloo in it's most basic form — the modular pieces allow for the construction of a free-standing shelving and divider system that could be arranged to snake around a large space creating multiple small rooms and areas.
Because the shelves are open, the level of privacy that the divider provides relies on how the shelves are used — empty shelves create very little privacy while shelves filled with books and objects create more private areas.
You can see more of Linda Bergroth's work on Viewmasters of Helsinki.
(Images: Aaron Able)
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
The World's Ugliest Condo: The Big Bathroom Reveal 
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Homesteaders' Cocktail Recipe: Lovage Simple Syrup
Comments (6)
Was this used in the anime exhibit at the Japan society in New York.
I want to see a picture of this in a home and filled with books. I think it would look cool by disappearing and really just looking like a nest of books. Maybe some facing in, some facing out. and a lounge chair, floor lamp, and some rugs and blankets in there. A book-lover's retreat.
Sort of the adult version of making a fort in the living room.
I so want this for my living room. It would make a comfy office space...
Replace that table with a comfy reading chair, and this is my version of heaven.
I am truly in love. I would even go so far as to fill this with my books etc and to lay my one small body only futon cushion on the ground within and live there.
Amen. Thank You.