Sailboat-Building, Robotics-Club-Hosting, and even a Contemplation Nook (in a 2-car garage)
Bryan had big dreams for his typical 2-car garage...
Hey all! This is an important model of a MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of a Wickedly Usable Workshop. As this was my first workshop overhaul project, I didn't have a portfolio yet, so to rationalize hiring me to drive 20+ hours across the country, the customer also gave me a list of house chores & tutoring to do during my 3 weeks there 😅. This resulted in only having about 1.5 weeks for the workshop portion... and that resulted in focusing on function over finesse.
This is not a don't-judge-me plea! Rather, I encourage you to look for the unpolished bits: the sawhorses, the unfinshed plywood, etc. Yet if you look closely, you'll see all kinds of usability features designed, built and implemented. This project is a great example of quickly creating a solid foundation of usability & efficacy, leaving room for further future refinement.
The Starting Point
Look familiar? 😅
The Sea Captain’s Contemplation Nook
A cozy reading & brainstorming nook with a restored 1800's sea captain's bed, a dartboard, fridge & whiteboard.
Overhead Storage Racks
Ceiling-mounted shelving is not only a good place to hold stuff up and out of the way, but also a great place to hang stuff & keep clamps in reach.
“I pretty much live in my garage now. Because it is awesome — not because the wife sent me there.”— Bryan, CT
The Sailboat & Community Table
This large surface extends from 8' to 12' to 16' -- enabling Bryan to build the 17' Northeaster Dory he's been dreaming of. BONUS: This made a great surface for hosting the local robotics club!
The Hardware Store
A centralized place for organizing the small stuff.
“Keith is an artist in an underappreciated field. He hides genius in plain sight.”— Bryan, CT
Slatwall Tool Rail
Custom-designed slatwall adapters allow traditional shelving & mounts to coexist with slatwall-specific widgets.
The Main Workshop Area
The main maker area with a MFSlab workbench top, 3D printer, leather-working tools & more.
GridFinity for Screws & Bolts
Common fasteners in GridFinity bins (for the wins!)
GridFinity on the Workbench
More GridFinity with room to grow.
View of All Zones
Wide view showing the overall layout - yard toys and all.
Angled Tape Shelves
Another custom-designed Gladiator bracket to hold tape rolling backwards towards the wall.
Wall-Mounted Lumber Rack
Sleek but sturdy lumber rack tucked against the back wall.
“Yes, you really do need a workshop outfitter. It’s like hiring an interior designer, but for dudes.”— Bryan, CT
Got an Impossible Brief?
Bryan’s wishlist sounded impossible, but we were able to make the right sacrifices in the right places to get him everything he wanted, WITH plenty of room to grow in the future.
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