Tiny Glass Studio Design Suggestions

kevingreenbmx · #1 2023-07-09, 11:07am

I'm getting further along with my plans for what may be the world's smallest glass studio. I'm extremely space constrained, with a 25' wide lot, and enough space behind my house to fit no more than an 11' X 19' building within our local codes (with one corner clipped so that I can maintain a parking space to charge my electric car).

The equipment I've bought includes a 80/90lb. invested pot furnace and a single top load kiln. I will be starting out with no glory, but plan to add one at some point. I also do a fair bit of torch work, so want to fit in a decent sized torch bench.

I'd like to be comfortable working solo with the the doors closed, but if I have folks over I'd like to open the doors up and use the parking area as bench space.

anyone have comments or suggestions on these concept layouts I've drawn up? I know it will be tight, but I'm looking for weekend-warrior serviceable given my tiny available space.

Thanks for the input!

echeveria · #2 2023-07-09, 3:40pm

You know, I have never done hot shop work, but won’t a space that size be hotter than hell’s front porch with a furnace and/or glory hole? With that question aside, I would use the shorter side for a torch bench.

kevingreenbmx · #3 2023-07-10, 5:44am

Quote:

Originally Posted by echeveria

You know, I have never done hot shop work, but won’t a space that size be hotter than hell’s front porch with a furnace and/or glory hole?

Depends primarily on the ventilation. If you have enough airflow, it keeps the waste heat flowing out the exhaust. I'm planning to have a hood over the hot shop equipment and over the torch bench, each with a 24" duct and blowers good for 3000-5000 CFM and make-up air vents to match.

echeveria · #4 2023-07-10, 9:16am

Sounds good. I am sure it will be nice to have a dedicated space. If you did the sides so they could fully open to the outside, would that mess up the ventilation?

kevingreenbmx · #5 2023-07-10, 9:47am

Quote:

Originally Posted by echeveria

Sounds good. I am sure it will be nice to have a dedicated space. If you did the sides so they could fully open to the outside, would that mess up the ventilation?

having the doors open should only help, as the hood will be the active part of the system.