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Continuing the Rowantrees Tradition

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You are here: Home / Archives for New Studio

The New Shop Takes Shape

Posted on12.30.16 by Geoff Miller

Wall Framing Day 1

Ground preparation started in early July. Despite a rainy day and a holiday, the work of getting everything ready for the construction crew took only three days.
Day 1

day3

day94The gravel work finished, it was a month before the cement slab could be poured. Contractors are busy people in the summer. But finally it happened. Done in just two days.

Forms Forms 2SlabThe cement was allowed to set for about three days – the warm weather making the short time period possible – and then the framing supplies began to appear. Most of the lumber and the trusses arrived followed shortly by doors, windows and other supplies. The construction crew was delayed by a rainy day, but got underway quickly as soon as they were able.

The framing went up in two days.

Framing Day 1Wall Framing Day 1Note the headers on this wall. If I had just built a “shop” beside my house, it would have added no real value to my property. By adding these headers, I made it possible for some future owner to convert this building into a two-car garage. I can’t even imaging when anyone will want to do that (I certainly don’t plan on going anywhere soon), but the fact that it can be done adds value.

Finished Wall FramingThe roof (or most of it) was framed the next day. It’s a simple truss roof given that future plans are to remove the roof and add a gambrel roof to create a second story (I’m not giving up on that idea).

Roof TrussesActually, this picture was taken around lunch time. But the end of the day a lot more had happened:

Sheathing 1Sheathing 2Finally, it was time for the roofing, doors and windows.

New StudioTotal building time (after the cement pad): 5 days.

Thus ended the first chapter of the New Studio Build. The outside is easy and goes up fast. the real time consuming work happens on the inside. I’ll be writing on that soon. For now, here are a couple pictures of the inside of the shell.

Inside 1

 

The Studio Saga – Good News!

Posted on05.15.16 by Geoff Miller

Studio

Studio

Finally! Although a date has not yet been set for the start of construction, the new studio will be built this season. It was a struggle to get to this point, and plans had to change (don’t they always?), but the home stretch is finally upon us.

You may recall in earlier posts that I had said I would do whatever it takes to just get a roof over my operation so I can have a work space and a place to sell my pottery. I’m at that point now. About a week and a half ago I spoke with the contractor. The next day I had a new estimate from him. Thanks to the gracious assistance of a deer tick I had to take a couple of days to see to my health, but the following Monday I sat down and plugged the new numbers into the cash flow spreadsheet.

No negative numbers. We’re in business again!

So the new studio as planned now is a 24′ by 36′ two-car garage style building with two doors and two windows. It will have no insulation or heat. Nor will it have a second story – at least for now. And it will have a simple gable roof rather than the gambrel originally intended. I will operate seasonally as I have up to this point, and will add insulation and drywall as I am able to. When the building is insulated and the drywall finished, I will then consider a heating system (I already know what I want) and will move to year-round operation. I’m not sure how long this process will take. How well business develops will certainly play a role.

This is a realistic plan that will get me up and running.

The best news in all of this is that the bank is on board. They likeĀ  the business plan and feel my numbers are realistic. Best of all, they believe in me.

The new studio will happen this year. It’s more modest than first envisioned, but it will work. Keep an eye out here for updates. They should start coming our more quickly soon!

The More Things Change…

Posted on12.03.14 by Geoff Miller

Studio

Well, the move out is history and Lowell Hill Pottery now sits in a storage unit in Ellsworth awaiting a new home. The old Rowantrees building at 86 Union Street now sits dormant with no electricity for the first time since it was built in the late 1930s. In due course, it will be torn down so that Side Viewthe property can be sold. The house will be spared the wrecking ball and I do hope it finds good owners who will appreciate its history.

In fact, I sincerely hope that the grounds around the house will return to the beautiful acreage that it used to be; full of trees and flowing bushes. Pictures that I have seen from the early years seem to indicate that it was a lovely place. May it return to that condition.

Those of us who were a part of the history of Rowantrees will always remember what took place on that land and how it changed the lives of so many people all over the world. It’s another reason that I feel honored to be carrying the tradition forward.

For myself, the challenge of building a new studio has begun in earnest. My building plans have again evolved into a simpler, less expensive concept mostly due to the move and a sincere desire to get a roof over my head and get back to work.Studio I decided to adapt a two-car garage plan that measures 24′ by 36′. It still fits on the footprint originally set out for en even larger building. Size is a process, as it turns out, and it has been interesting to watch myself going from what I would love to have had to what I absolutely need. Fortunately, this design is quite adequate and can be expanded in the future if necessary.

DownstairsAs with all the other designs, this one has a gambrel roof, which will allow for a gallery and sales area upstairs. It had been my hope to have that on the street level, but a full foundation fell victim to the budget. Actually, I wasn’t all that fond of the idea of carrying a ton of clay down into the cellar space every year. Nor did the thought of carrying pottery up two flights of stairs ring my chimes. I’m 55 years old, after all, and although I’m in very good condition, that isn’t going to last forever. Might as well plan for that now.

I also dropped the plan for in-floor radiant heating. While it came highly recommended, it is also true Gallerythat the floor in this place will have water, clay and other assorted stuff on it quite often. Those I know who have this sort of heating say that having anything on the floor will cause problems. It stands to reason. Gunk on a heated floor will turn into cement pretty quickly, and cement on a heated floor prevents the heat from getting where it should be. So, a different heat source will be needed. That will probably be a Monitor, a Renai of some other type of heater.

All of this will depend on finances. The Kickstarter campaign is now being re-tuned to match this far more modestly priced structure. I haven’t settled on the exact figure yet, but expect to do so early in 2015.

Then things will move along quickly. Stay tuned!

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