The saga of free stuff that just won't go a-w-a-y!

10 years ago my former employer, CSI, was tossing metal flat files used to store magazine layouts. We dragged 2 back to our cave to store Dan's drawings, misc flat storage and such. You can see they are a thing of beauty.

When we packed Dan weeded his stack down to 1 portfolio and we tossed or donated 90% of the other stuff. So off to the DUMPSTER.

Oh no....a stay of execution. Our contractor found a home for our treasures. IEIEIEIEIE! SIGH! I suppose they'll look nice after they're painted and have bookshelves built above them.

We're adding a small transition area between the upstairs landing and John's room. Our contractor recommended a play or reading area to open up the area (with a skylight).

This is a good reuse of the space - John's room would have had a long L shape that was wasted space. This is a much better option.

Reason #54 to work with an team who are experts in finding a use for every inch.

And of course another fun email exchange about a free – almost to the dumpster item!

To Dan:

In laying out the "loft space" and the flat files this morning, it

works best to have the flat files next to each other, rather than on

top of each other. When they are next to each other, we are able to

slide them back into the "knee wall" further, thus giving more floor

space to the loft play area.

If this is okay by you, we will proceed with building them next to

each other.

Thanks.

From Dan (in architect/work mode):

I don't think placing them side- by- side would be a problem. I'm

assuming your location placement, is still centering the files in the

overall wall length. With them side-by-side, a lot more of the wall

space will be lost, at the reading area.

If the flat files stick out into the room 12- 16", that might work too.

(Gretchen and I were discussing the room and the intended use (as a play

area and reading space). Our thought was to perhaps place wall shelves

along some of the wall space there, to create a little reading nook with

some bookshelves. If the shelves were to run on the knee wall area; they

could potentially run overtop the files. The files could then actually

be built-in, projecting out from the walls a little- (to make the files

somewhat flush with the future bookshelf(s) face. Would this work with

the available space you're seeing in the layout?

Some clarification questions:

a.) If we install in this method, I am assuming they will still be

down closer to the Floor level, set atop some sort of blocking base as

discussed last Friday, correct?

b.) Will there still be space available for electrical outlets (or

data outlets) to be in the "Knee wall" at each end of the room?

c.) Is there an intended service hatch location in the Knee wall, to

access the enclosed attic space on the Wayne Street side of the house?

I'm guessing the existing hatch is going away and much of the current

attic space will be lost with the HVAC routing? If there is hatch, where

would it be located?

Thanks,

Daniel Steenstra, AIA

<<>>

Me: How much is this recycle project going to cost?

Contractor: two on site meetings, including one where you demanded I leave another job to attend. . .

Me: That’s what I was worried about…can you send a change order please?

Contractor: I am just kidding. Can't you see my face?

Me: I know but it's kind of true...Next time you should make it more of a statement - if someone yells then we can have a email chatfest. If you ask an architect a question he going to try to think of it from every angle. It's hard to be a client!!

Contractor: I will create a change order to track these flat file / bookcase / skylight changes. We are not intending that this will add a lot (ie the details will be simple and completed as part of the framing process).