I designed this bookcase using the Golden Mean ratio. The narrowest part of the side frames (where the middle shelf is located) is 0.6 the height of the bookcase.
http://www.shininghorizonschool.org-a.googlepages.com/orientalbookcase
The dyed maple frames are doweled except for the top of the center stile, which has two pocket screws. (The center stile and lower front stretcher are not the same thickness as the other frame parts, giving the project a nice shadow line.)
The frames are attached to the carcase with biscuits along the top and bottom, but splines and loose tenons align and strengthen the joinery. The 10×48 black marble top just sits on top of the carcase, nesting inside the frames.
I built this prototype without the marble top and used plywood for the carcase. Also, the frames are only 3/4 inches thick instead of the design size of 1-1/8 inches.

















4 comments so far
Bob A in NJ
home | projects | blog
1104 posts in 2196 days
#1 posted 1895 days ago
Wow, very nice project, well done dude!
-- Bob A in NJ
GaryK
home | projects | blog
10263 posts in 2186 days
#2 posted 1895 days ago
Very nice looking bookcase!
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
Karson
home | projects | blog
34396 posts in 2598 days
#3 posted 1887 days ago
Great looking bookcase. Nice job.
Good luck.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
jeanmarc
home | projects | blog
1886 posts in 1914 days
#4 posted 1831 days ago
Great looking bookcase
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Have your say...