Computer Room Design..

[Laurey]

This isn't 'perfectly' to scale.. but it's close:

http://www.semistixstudio.net/testing/comp-wall2.jpg

any ideas/suggestions to make it even more functional while keeping the ability to keep it tidy? We are about to the point that we have to have these decisions made for the room we are remodeling.. and I'd love any ideas (or dreams) to make this something I'll be happy with for a LONG time (as I have absolutely NO intention of going through a remodel of this room EVER again...).

TIA,
-L

[Ddr]

I would be happy to give you any help I can, not only in layout but also in materials selection and hardware selections for rollouts, keyboard slides, etc. I have been designing and building custom furniture ( residential and commercial offices, restaurants, bars, libraries, wall units, computer setups, etc) for over 14 years now. I have an intimate knowledge of materials and supplies, fabrication techniques, and layout.

Your layout is workable...neat and simple. However, without scale, it is hard to really judge if what looks good on paper will work in reality. Where is the printer going? Do you have to incorporate a midi device like a keyboard into the space you are showing? How about other peripherals? Are you running a multi-disk cd burner so you can distribute Brian's tunes? You get my drift. The more info given, the better the assistance I can give.

Let me know.

Dale

[Laurey]

ahh.. Ddr.. you're wonderful!

that is 'close' to scale (w/out graph paper I can only be so specific).

if you see the 'shelving' between the monitors that goes to the ceiling.. that is where the printers & fax will be. The bottom one will be the fax.. then the ink jet printer next and the laserject will be on the top below the cabinet (the top cabinet will be for things like cartridges, toners, paper & labels).

Midi toys (keyboard, drums & such) will actually be along another wall as his sound card will be mounted right above where his tower is for easy access to ports (he's got a rack system sound card).

The modem & hub will be on my shelf (above the monitor), and the scanner will be on a roll-out (like a cutting board maybe? need stability mostly.. but it's not often used so I'd like it out of the way) under the shelves, above the filing cabinet.

No multidisc burner at this time.. and I can't think of anything else that would need to be on the desktop other than maybe computer speakers... might be missing something though (looking around the dining room here.. and I don't SEE anything else....)

I "believe" the wall space we have to work with is 12' w/9' ceiling.. would go measure.. but it's demolition world in there right now.. and frankly.. I don't think it's safe <G>
(especially as there is no light in there.. and it's now dark outside).

The shelf above the monitor will most likely be 12 - 16" deep..

the shelves between the monitors will be 18" or so (need to make sure the printers have a firm seat in there).

Haven't decided on desk height.. need to do a little ergonomic research for that..

and after typing all this, I'm realizing I'm woefully unprepared to design this <G> Coming to the seattle area anytime soon Ddr.. might have a job for ya...<G>

-L

[Ddr]

Ok, well here are a few more questions. Who is building this? Are you going to Home Depot and just going to pick parts up off of the rack, or are you handing a design to a real cabinetmaker to make your unit? Big difference on the approach to construction there.

BTW...standard desk height will be 29 -30 inches from the finished floor.

Another thought while you are in demolition land. Run extra outlets on your computer wall, especially some high ones in the approximate position of the printers and other peripherals that you plan to put up high. For now, all you need to do is have the electrician pull the wires, leave an extra 3 or 4 feet of wire at each outlet location, then mount the boxes later when you have a firm plan for outlet locations. If the wall unit has a back, then you can use metal gem boxes and just screw the boxes right to a neat hole cut in the back of the wall unit.

I could go on and on....but I will look at the info you gave and see if I can do anything more with your plan. Seems like you have it scoped out pretty well. It is more about material specs, spans, and functional hardware now. If a cabinetmaker is doing the job, it would be an "A" list. If Brian is building this in your living room with things from Home Depot, it would be the "B" list. We dont have to bore the world with the details if you want to move this to email. Up to you.

Dale

[Laurey]

email it is, shooting one at ya in a couple :)