The existing workshop at Harmon Builders’ home office site has limited finishing space available for cabinetry work. Plans for expanding the workshop are now in the early phase of construction. Once completed we also intend to add a separate structure that will include a space for group events. We are rolling the project out slowly while prioritizing outdoor work on projects for our clients, but we are excited to share what our project vision looks like in this stage of planning.
A rendering of the addition to the workshop; side elevation shown.
Putting finishes on cabinets requires an immaculately clean space so that dirt from outdoors or sawdust from the cabinetry construction process itself won’t blow into wet paints or varnishes. As it is now Paul and Jason may have to work in short processes on one or two pieces at a time, since the available space doesn’t provide the room for an entire kitchen’s worth of cabinetry to be in the same production stage at once. Alongside the enlarged workshop will be a separate “lean-to” structure for tractors and snow removal equipment, and a safer space for storing fuel for generators or raw materials that do not require climate control.
The next part of our vision is to add a detached four bay garage to accommodate our work trucks, with two bays dedicated to vehicle storage. The remaining portion of the ground floor will be outfitted as a “mother-in-law” apartment, including a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. The building will have a second story that is entirely open space–nearly 1500 square feet in total. The image gallery below contains some rough ideas for design potential. You can click to enlarge the photographs.
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- Exterior concept “4-bay” garage with retreat/studio above. 1.5 bays will utilize space for a full bath (6’x12′), eat-in kitchenette (12’x18′) and bedroom (12’x12′).
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- Interior studio space design concept
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- Open staircase concept up to studio. A mix of wood and hand-forged iron.
We hope that this may fulfill a need in the local area as a meeting space for group events such as crafting sessions, yoga classes, or martial arts competitions. The apartment facilities would then double to supplement the event space with a food service area and restrooms. The suite will be versatile enough to use as a guest suite vacation rental for people taking advantage of all the assets to enjoy locally, from Antietam Battlefield to hiking the Appalachian Trail, Shepherdstown’s dining, shopping, and nightlife, Harpers Ferry’s charming town and National Historical Park, and the C&O Canal for hiking, biking and kayaking. We would love to share all that this community has to offer.
By Melanie Smith-Bell