Shelfscapes is a hybrid of art, engineering, and world-building — a maker’s journey into the small and the strange.
Each build is a book nook: a miniature diorama that slides between books and lights up a world within your shelf.
From Diagon Alley’s glow to Rivendell’s calm, these are self-contained environments powered by careful wiring, coded light behaviors, and deliberate craftsmanship.
This repository serves as both portfolio and toolkit — meant to help others (and your future self) build immersive, safe, and reproducible book nooks.
- Design & Documentation: CAD exports, sketches, laser-cut files, and texture maps.
- Electronics: Safe 5 V lighting layouts, Arduino/ESP microcontroller code, and sensor automation.
- Security-Minded Design: Proper wire gauge use, power isolation, and component labeling for long-term reliability.
- Creative Experimentation: Structured folders, version control for materials, and build reproducibility.
Shelfscapes/
├── nooks/ # Finished fandom builds (Diagon Alley, Rivendell, etc.)
├── readiculous/ # Experimental or humor builds (mad science, surreal)
├── _shared/ # Common assets: STL files, textures, lighting modules
├── lighting/ # Arduino .ino sketches and wiring diagrams
├── docs/ # Build logs, BOMs, diagrams, and design references
└── README.md
Each nook integrates its own BookNook Lighting Controller — reusable Arduino logic with plug-in .ino modules for:
| Module | Effect | Ideal Scene |
|---|---|---|
CandleFlicker.ino |
Simulated flame | Medieval tavern / library |
BreathingLight.ino |
Pulsing ambient glow | Magical or sci-fi |
MotionTrigger.ino |
PIR-activated lighting | Display shelves |
DayNightCycle.ino |
Automatic fade patterns | Outdoor scenes |
UniversalController.ino |
Multi-mode toggle | Multi-scene builds |
Powered safely via USB (5 V) or rechargeable pack, each script is modular and sensor-ready.
- 3 mm birch plywood or MDF (laser-cut or hand-assembled)
- 5 V LED strips / fairy lights / single diodes
- Arduino Nano / ESP32 (depending on effect complexity)
- Optional: LDR, PIR sensor, potentiometer mode selector
- Finishes: acrylic paint, dry brushing, matte sealant
Shelfscapes balances artistry with engineering repeatability:
- Every nook is reproducible from open design files.
- Every light effect is modular and interchangeable.
- Every assembly prioritizes safety, repairability, and longevity.
The goal is not just to make something beautiful — it’s to make something you can maintain, improve, and pass on.
| Date | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Initial repo setup (Shelfscapes + _shared/lighting/) |
Added universal Arduino controller, wiring SVG. |
| Nov 2025 | Created first modular nook structure | Interchangeable front panels, test cut in plywood. |
| Dec 2025 (planned) | Add Diagon Alley prototype | Focus: LED warmth, motion-activated signage. |
| Q1 2026 (planned) | Build “Westeros Archive” nook | Integration with ambient sound + smart dimming. |
| Future | Document safe 5 V power chaining across shelf | Optional current limiter and inline fuse module. |
- Clone this repo:
git clone https://github.com/gineshoii/Shelfscapes.git
- Open /lighting/BookNookLighting_UniversalController.ino in Arduino IDE.
- Upload to Arduino Nano or ESP32.
- Connect LED strip → pin 9, PIR sensor → pin 2, LDR → A0.
- Power via USB (5 V 1A).
Future Integrations
• BLE control (ESP32) for ambient scene switching.
• Environmental sensors for temperature/reactive lighting.
• Voice or gesture-triggered interactions.
• Optional “ShelfCloud” dashboard for logging light cycles and uptime.