Shelves for life...and death

Better late than never, this is the ultimate repurpose design: Coffin - bookshelf - coffin! Designed by the British design team ww.modcons and exhibited at the [Re]Design 2006 exhibition in London.
The subtly ironic Shelves for Life are artfully assembled slats of wood begin their existence dutifully propping up books and knick-knacks, but when their time is up, instead of getting kicked to the curb, these shelves convert into a coffin!

If you tend to get precious about throwing away items you’ve grown attached to, Shelves for Life might be just your style. The designers’ wry commentary on the disposability of everyday objects is well-tucked into an inarguably beautiful piece of furniture.
Shelves for Life is just one of the many intriguing design items we found on display at [RE]Design – currently on at the Truman brewery on Brick Lane in London. Stay tuned for a report back later today on the rest of the show.

(via InHabitat)