“[Spaces for making things] have just about doubled in the last ten years,” says Nelson. “People aren’t just stuffing junk in their garages any more. It’s become the male domain, the place where they can do their work and have their tools.”

There are scores of books providing advice on setting up a wood shop or metal shop, and many others that describe setting up specialty areas: a paint shop, a photography studio, or a chemistry lab. But what I wanted was not a single-purpose workspace. I was seeking the ultimate, multipurpose Maker’s Workshop: a versatile, flexible space capable of handling nearly any project I could think of — from building a cedar-strip canoe to compounding fuel and oxidizer for a rocket engine, from soldering a Minty Boost to developing a model ornithopter.

This article is the first in a series detailing the creation of a modestly sized yet state-of-the-art Maker’s Workshop, which I named the Barrage Garage. This installment covers the design and construction of my Barrage Garage, and the considerations behind its climate-control systems, floor coverings, and other infrastructure. Future articles will describe the equipment inside it, such as work-benches, machine tools, hand tools, and welders.

Workshop Design Criteria The first step was to determine which features were the most important and practical.

Egress A 9-foot-wide, automatic, well-insulated door outfitted with required safety equipment was essential. The huge door makes bringing materials in and out of the workspace a snap.

Fenestration Natural light and a view to the outside were high on my list of priorities. Therefore, the design called for four east-facing sliding windows having a total glass area of 24 square feet.

Organization I devised a plan for a combination of stackable modular cabinets, which, along with a slotted wall storage system, maximize the efficiency and versatility of my space.

Surfaces I wanted more functionality and style than a concrete floor could afford. I selected a special-purpose tile floor for workshops and garages that makes walking and standing more comfortable.

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