Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Workshops

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

The plans for phase 2 of Sharingwood include what we are calling the 
barn, which was programmed as a multi-use shop and craft space.  On 
paper it will have an auto bay, a wood working area, a crafts area, 
covered storage, and a loft which could be used for any number of 
things.  Our first estimate on cost is $50,000.

Our current assumption, which has no formal agreement as of yet, is 
that the income from the sale of units in phase 2 will pay for all the 
common elements, including the barn.

The key element of this structure is that it is Multi-purpose.  It is 
not just a woodshop.  It is not just an auto repair area.  It is not 
just a crafts and art space, it is at least all three.  The idea being 
that having a multitude of activities gives us more use for our dollar. 
 A basic way of looking at designing common spaces is that you are 
putting a bunch of  money into spaces and your return is hours of use.  
If you design your spaces well you get a good return in that the space 
gets lots of hours of use.

I would add to this that when doing programming for shops and such 
watch out for the "I woulds" in statements like, "If I had a shop I 
would use it."  This is often very misleading.  If you are planning 
something like a woodshop evaluate how many people are CURRENTLY doing 
woodworking and own such tools to do it. They are the real users of 
such space and to build a shop, which is no cheap thing, based on 
peoples statements that...."Well, I've always wanted to do 
woodworking....." may very well lead you to invest lots of dollars in 
something which does not get many hours of use.

There is of course the argument that: "we could build stuff for the 
community  if we had a shop".  Again, I would advise you to carefully 
evaluate this statement by looking at the actual skills and projects 
which people are currently or recently have done.  If you have a couple 
folks who indeed have made benches and outdoor tables and bookcases in 
the recent past, and enjoy doing this, have the tools and inclination 
for this, then it is likely to occur.  However I would advise to be 
skeptical about investing $30K in a woodshop on statements like: " If I 
had a woodshop I would make stuff" from folks who have never done so in 
the past.

One way of balancing costs and use between general community and 
professional use is to have the community build the space and have the 
professionals buy the tools.  Then the tool owners can check people out 
on the tools and control who uses them.  One thing I have seen work 
really well in community toolshops is for each tool to hang on a 
pegboard with its shape drawn around it in felt pen.  This way, when a 
tool is missing, it is easy noticed and the empty outline  serves as a 
reminder to the borrower.

Creating a code of tool ethics is also a good idea.  This can be 
written down and put over the doorway of the workshop.  Having a shop 
master is a good idea.  The shop master is in charge of the shop, all 
tool issues get reported to her, she is the trainer on all the tools, 
holds the key, etc.  This does not mean the Shop master does all the 
clean up, maintenance, and other work, she is the person who 
coordinated these things to happen.

There are some pretty good books (titles?) on designing workshops which 
would be good homework before doing the programming for a workshop.  
Things like storage, lighting design,  ventilation, and drainage can 
really add a lot to a plan without adding much to the cost.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood