I have been planning out a new shop and put together initial set of bullet points. Some points are specific to me but I thought that some of it may be may be helpful to others. Surely any feed back will be helpful to me. If there is value in updating this for the group, let me know and I can repost it with changes.
Sal
Discussion Points for Architect
- Identify
- Have they done anything similar
- What is the overall process of working together
- Initial Feasibility Review
- Project
- Build a hobby woodworking shop on residential property
- Goals of Review
- Determine if possible. Consider
- Zoning limitations
- How to address grade of land
- Easement on property
- Location options
- Approval from neighbors?
- Impact on property aesthetics / value
- Identify any major issues / concerns
- If feasible, what is range of costs per sq ft
- How is COVID impacting availability of materials and building schedules
- Develop some initial visual renderings
- Design
- Purpose of the Shop
- Hand tool work
- Machine work
- Sanding
- Assembly
- Finishing
- Wood storage, possibly outside as well
- CNC (Future)
- Metal work (future, secondary)
- Utility vehicle storage (future, secondary)
- Where to locate structure
- Consider slope
- Adequate drainage
- Aesthetics
- Exterior
- Style compatibly with house
- If on a larger property. Consider alternate styles
- Exterior character (see photos)
- Scale with respect to the house
- Changes to landscaping
- Interior
- Ambiance
- Ability to open doors and work outside
- Overhang to prevent water coming in when doors are open
- Seating outside shop
- Views
- Good natural light
- Access
- From house
- Ability to move equipment and materials in/out
- Access from main driveway or other side of the house
- Structure
- Exterior Requirements
- Consider 30 X 40' depending on number of levels
- Can work with smaller space if that size presents issues
- Can two levels be accommodated
- Skylights
- Interior Requirements
- Minimum 9' ceilings on primary floor
- Window locations, consider impact on wall space for storage
- Consider floor loads for equipment
- No height transitions on floor to facilitate moving equipment
- Any supporting posts needed? If so,
- Can they facilitate machine grouping
- Maximize open space
- Will trusses allow fully open space?
- Financial
- For re-sale of home, allow conversion to artist studio, additional garage, guest house, pool house, etc.
- Establish planned budget for desired scope
- Heat/AC efficiency
- Miscellaneous
- Consider rebuild of deck
- Lean-to for storage?
Build
- Time to complete
- Steps to keep the project cost effective
- Consider finish work that I can do
- Other alternatives
Structure
- Brick, stone, stucco or wood
- Insulation
- Proper vapor barrier to minimize rust and control air quality
- Sound mitigation for neighbors
- Double sheetrock
- Green glue between Sheetrock
- Offset studs
- Other?
- Joist plan with respect to dust and HVAC ducts
- Door locations
- Wide door access (avoid garage door style for appearance)
- Assure proper weather sealing and insulation
- Insect prevention (DO THIS Before you Drywall Your Remodel or New Build)
- Boracare with moldcare
- Boric acid
- Caulking
1st Floor
- Primary work area
2nd floor or Basement
- wood storage, chop saw, jointer planer, dust collector, compressor
- Spray area
- Slop sink
- Bathroom
- Should make wiring easier
- Would a winch or other mechanism be needed to bring heavy materials up
- Minimize space and workflow impact of stairs
- Hatch instead
- Assure floor can support machine loads
- Consider load issues caused by doors / windows on lower level
- Sump pump
- Humidity control
Access
- Landscape so that a truck can drive up to shop
- Determine how equipment/ material will be moved in / out of shop
- Large doors from shorter side of the building
- Standard door/window from longer side
- Consider a patio in front of larger doors to allow working from outside
- Access doors should swing out to allow more interior space
- Consider wind, snow
Flooring
- Wood Floors
- allow for wiring, dust collection underneath?
- Assure joist capacity for heavy equipment
Ceiling
- Min 9'
- See if any additional height is needed for dust collection
- Consider if open joists can be used for storage
- Consider dust control ducting
Workflow
- Try to keep center area open to allow for direct movement between machines and assembly
- Install a winch?
- Allow for movement of plywood
- Allow for free movement of lifting table between machines
- Consider additions / upgrades
- Assure room to move lumber in/out of rack
Inside Areas
- Machine area
- Workbench area
- Finish area
- Should be separated from other open areas to minimize impact of dust
- Assembly area
- Wood storage
- Utility vehicle storage (may use garage)
Utilities
- Electric
- Gas?
- Water
- Sewer
- Internet
- Security
Electrical
- Confirm feasibility of bringing sufficient electricity to site
- Total amps needed? 200?
- Note max amperage used for a machine
- Consider that dust collector and 1-2 machines running simultaneously along with
- Lighting
- HVAC
- Allow for additional machines
- Consider ways to reduce cost
- Can aluminum be used instead of copper from house to shop to save on cost?
- Should a trench be made around interior perimeter to reduce wiring / cost
- Install receptacles near the main box and then running extension cords (self made?)
- Consider ways to facilitate equipment moves in the future
- Use j boxes
- What other ways should be adapted to facilitate future move of equipment
- Location of panel
- Note the need for 3 phase power and rotary phase converter
- May move to phase perfect
- Locate it for minimal impact on floor space
- Minimize noise unless switch is made to Phase Perfect
- Surge protection needed?
- Power outlets outside building
- Should floor outlets be installed for centrally located equipment?
- Decide on outlet locations
- Should higher gauge wire be used for future needs
- Outlets above 48”
- Do not bury wiring in walls. Keep external.
- Ceiling outlets
- Determine which equipment can run on same circuits
- Internet and WiFi
- Can cable from house be used?
- Add a generator for the house during construction / electrical work
- Locate overhead extension reels
Water
- Slop sink
- Hot / cold
- Point of use water heater
- Bathroom?
- Outside hose bib
Heat / Cooling
- Most economical
- Minisplit
- Provide for remote control of thermostat
- Wood burning stove? Allowed?
- Assure that dust collection does not interfere with HVAC
- Crazy idea- use geo thermal for shop and house. Cost effective?
Lighting / Windows
- LED's or Florescent - Cost?
- Looks like LED's are not cost effective for the amount of use that I will require. Consider T5HO fluorescents
- Kelvin / CRI ?
- Skylights
- Have some lights on a separate breaker in the event that a circuit trips at night
- Coordinate with any overhead air filters and duct work
Compressed Air
- Sound mitigation
- Preinstall lines
- Moisture control for air
- Rapidair compressed air parts
Dust Collection
- Research needed ceiling height for current and possible replacement dust collector
- Inside or outside exhaust? Support both?
- Manifold allowing outside venting when weather permits
- This would be done to minimize exhaust noise and reduce filter clogs
- Duct work layout, type
- Should any ductwork be installed in the basement or crawl space
- Locate collector so it’s closest to largest dust generators
- Sound suppression
- Dust capacity, reduce frequency of emptying bin
- Ceiling air filters
- Coordinate with lighting plan
- Where to place for best collection of fine dust and air circulation/collection
- Cupola with exhaust fan?
- Consider cost and performance trade off long duct runs vs second local dust collector
Spray Area Considerations
- Dust control
- Exhaust of fumes
- How to design it so that if does not permanently allocate space
Security
- Smoke and fire alarm
- Burglary alarm
- Security camera
Miscellaneous
- Small frig
- What to do with existing basement shop space
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Originally Posted by Matt Day
