Big Shop- Click Images for Enlarged View

Description:

At the moment, this is my favorite design. When I have some free time I open it up and play around with it. I even started adding interior objects, which is not something I do often with these models.

The reasons I like it so much:
First of all it's a solid, practical structure that could be built very straight forward without any expensive engineering or alterations. The biggest item would be bar joists and perimeter beams to properly support the center units of the top level. Secondly, notice all the living space is on the top level. The entire lower levels- well that's the Big Shop. I love tinkering. I could have all that shop space- in my house! :)

The structure is based on 15 40' units and 12 20' units. I used the HC (High Clearance) units in this model. These have about 8' 6" interior floor to ceiling height. When stacked, there is actually an air space between the floor and roof of the units. However, this area is not exactly accessible once the units are stacked. I decided the most practical approach would be to run conduits/pipes in the ceiling area. It would then be easy to drop into a wall or drill up into the next level. If desired, it would be an easy option to install a drop ceiling that would be close to 8' AFF. Personally, I'd probably leave everything exposed. A lifetime of industrial work has given me an affinity for, well I believe they call it the "Industrial Look", lol.

There are several aspects of this model I'm still moving around, mainly in the outer "hallways" of the top level. Still deciding what I'd like the best. I have a lot of real world details worked out, but it's more information than I feel like posting for now.

The lack of windows is intentional. What you don't realize from these images is the idea is for the structure to be partially buried/earth bermed. This is another favorite thing of mine. Going into the earth is just so efficient. If I stay with this model, I'll eventually create some landscape views to show this. Of course, going this route would invoke some additional "major" design requirements in terms of waterproofing, retaining walls, and load bearing requirements for the lower sections of the structure.

The roof is another area that would need attention. If it is left as a flat metal roof as currently shown, this would induce a serious problem in terms of heating/cooling. I have a few possible options in mind, but the general idea would require creating a shade and air flow zone by constructing a secondary roof layer. It's hard to look at all that flat surface area and not think about solar panels...

The open area of the shop (in the center) is around 52' x 40' (2080 sq ft) with around 17' 5" clearance height (bottom of the bar joists). Then of course I'd still have all the perimeter units to put my various workshops in. Incidentally, at the moment the top level is around 3700 sq ft. I tossed in the scale model of the semi-truck, with the top floor hidden, to give an idea of size of the shop.

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