Is it furniture or shelving? Two partners in Brooklyn, N.Y., have developed the as4 Modular Furniture System, which can be configured into home offices and workstations; open and closed storage for every room; electronics and A/V display; and that furnishing stalwart, the wall unit, all with the same basic components. The as4 system uses cold-rolled steel bars and hardwoods, including white oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and custom species. need from the infinite possible arrangements. “If you’re handy, installation is very straightforward,” says Atlas’s Thomas Wright. About half of his customers install their as4 systems themselves. Nationwide delivery is available, and costs vary with system size. Components all have dovetail-joint construction and a clear satin-lacquer finish.