X_Shelf is a generatively designed bookshelf, made entirely from CNC-milled Alucobond® boards, that were folded into modules to form a self-supporting system.

The design is based on David Rutten’s “Substrate” component in Grasshopper, the Rhino McNeel Plugin, which has in turn be inspired by the processing works of Jared Tarbell.
The component was then coupled to Grasshopper’s internal solver Galapagos, in order to adjust the minimum and maximum volume and height of each cell based on average book sizes.
Once the cells were defined the overall geometry was extruded towards three intersecting planes that provide the shelf with additional depth and stability. All parts were digitally fabricated and joint into three parts, each color representing one, to allow for simple dis- and reassembly.