Our goal was to make a simple, modern workshop outbuilding to be used for hobby cabinetmaking and appropriately reverent storage and display of our client’s vintage Mercedes 230SL convertible.

The idea of a planted roof came up early in the design process. By setting the floor level low and digging the building partly into the site, and sloping the roof up and away from the neighbors yard and planting it, we minimized the visual impact of the new structure, as well as accruing all the environmental and aesthetic benefits that come with a planted roof.

An excellent cabinetmaker, our client was able to provide much of the finish work on the interior, as well as fabricating the large wood and polycarbonate exterior doors. His work was beautifully consistent with the environmental goals of the project. At our request, Jim provided us with a list:

Free standing workbench; made by J. Sproull; birds-eye maple with walnut inlays
Workbench along and attached to south wall; reclaimed bowling alley lane;
Second Use Building Building Materials (SUBM); southern yellow pine, shelving in south west corner: cut off sections of above bowling alley material
Blue cabinets along south wall (supports workbench), reclaimed kitchen cabinets SUBM; painted to match floor color
Blue Credenza along south wall; reclaimed from an architects office SUBM; painted to match floor color
Metal drawers; reclaimed from school science display cabinet;
Shelving to support metal drawers: reclaimed from neighborhood
Shaker peg border; reclaimed high school bleachers SUBM; ripped to width for use
Table saw out-feed table support; reclaimed basketball backboard support; local neighborhood kid
Bathroom door: reclaimed door for owner’s residence
Drill press stand: reclaimed cabinet; painted to match floor color and set on rollers
South wall Madrona door handles: reclaimed windfall; owner’s woodlot
Rolling cabinet located on east wall; reclamined display cabinet from school (left original color)
Metal cabinet on east wall over sink (first aid cabinet); reclaimed medical office cabinet SUBM (left original color)
Misc. wood thin stock storage bin (southeast corner): wooden barrel clothes washer circa ?; unknown origin