Living Roof Little Free Library
Living Roof Little Free Library
Embedded Files
Giving a library lover a library of his own.
Giving a library lover a library of his own.
My Dad loves libraries, and instilled a love for them and reading in my sister and I from a young age. Thanks to libraries, he also has all the books he'd ever need, which makes easy birthday gifts a bit more challenging.
My Dad loves libraries, and instilled a love for them and reading in my sister and I from a young age. Thanks to libraries, he also has all the books he'd ever need, which makes easy birthday gifts a bit more challenging.
During lockdown, I went on countless family neighborhood walks and saw many well-designed little free libraries. I also started getting into gardening, and realized that I could make a small garden and library for my Dad for his birthday!
During lockdown, I went on countless family neighborhood walks and saw many well-designed little free libraries. I also started getting into gardening, and realized that I could make a small garden and library for my Dad for his birthday!
A screenshot of the library model in Fusion 360.
I started by sketching an idea of what I wanted the library to look like, eventually making a fully parameterized CAD model in Fusion 360.
I started by sketching an idea of what I wanted the library to look like, eventually making a fully parameterized CAD model in Fusion 360.
I used Fusion 360's layout feature to fit all the flat pieces onto a 4' x 4' sheet of plywood, tweaking any dimensions from the fully parameterized model as needed.
I used Fusion 360's layout feature to fit all the flat pieces onto a 4' x 4' sheet of plywood, tweaking any dimensions from the fully parameterized model as needed.
Once the design was completed, I created drawings with dimensions for all the cut parts that I could easily reference during the build process.
Once the design was completed, I created drawings with dimensions for all the cut parts that I could easily reference during the build process.
I then bought a nice half sheet of birch plywood and got to cutting with a circular saw for straight sections and a jigsaw for the curves around the window frame on the door. For connecting pieces, I used a combination of wood glue and screws. If I made this project again, I would only use one or the other for joining since using both felt like overkill and took way longer than needed.
I then bought a nice half sheet of birch plywood and got to cutting with a circular saw for straight sections and a jigsaw for the curves around the window frame on the door. For connecting pieces, I used a combination of wood glue and screws. If I made this project again, I would only use one or the other for joining since using both felt like overkill and took way longer than needed.
The idea of painting nice wood is sacrilegious in my eyes, and so for finish, I used UV-resistant spar varnish. Prep involved orbital sanding with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surfaces, then wiping with a damp cloth. I knocked back any rough edges with a sanding block and used wood putty to cover any screw heads. Once dry and clean, I rolled on a coat of varnish, then tipped the coat to smooth it out. After waiting a few hours for the coat to set, I'd reapply.
The idea of painting nice wood is sacrilegious in my eyes, and so for finish, I used UV-resistant spar varnish. Prep involved orbital sanding with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surfaces, then wiping with a damp cloth. I knocked back any rough edges with a sanding block and used wood putty to cover any screw heads. Once dry and clean, I rolled on a coat of varnish, then tipped the coat to smooth it out. After waiting a few hours for the coat to set, I'd reapply.
Since the roof would also be a planter, and the inside of the roof would be covered by dirt, I painted that section and caulked those seams to mitigate the chance of wood rot. I also added large drainage holes and used a fast-draining soil mix for succulents to prevent lingering moisture.
Since the roof would also be a planter, and the inside of the roof would be covered by dirt, I painted that section and caulked those seams to mitigate the chance of wood rot. I also added large drainage holes and used a fast-draining soil mix for succulents to prevent lingering moisture.
Above: One of the library drawings with the dimensions in fractional inches (the chaotic evil of length units).
Below: The finished library in all its glory. Note the succulents peeking over the top.
My Dad and Max, looking timeless.
Once the library was built, I dug and then cemented in a post to hold the library. Once the cement was cured, the library was screwed onto the post and the roof was planted with succulents from the garden.
Once the library was built, I dug and then cemented in a post to hold the library. Once the cement was cured, the library was screwed onto the post and the roof was planted with succulents from the garden.
To dedicate the library, I added a plaque from Little Free Library christening the library as the Max Diamond Memorial Library (Charter #117382), in honor of my childhood dog, Max. You can now find the library on the Little Free Library map.
To dedicate the library, I added a plaque from Little Free Library christening the library as the Max Diamond Memorial Library (Charter #117382), in honor of my childhood dog, Max. You can now find the library on the Little Free Library map.
If you'd like to see the CAD model or drawings, for fun or to build one yourself, check out my GitHub, which hosts the files. If you do make one, please let me know: I'd love to see it!
If you'd like to see the CAD model or drawings, for fun or to build one yourself, check out my GitHub, which hosts the files. If you do make one, please let me know: I'd love to see it!
Google Sites
Report abuse