Welcome to My Workshop

December 28, 2021
The finished product
The finished product
This page documents the development and construction of my workshop. These pictures get updated when additional work gets completed.

Essential Background
I bought a log cottage in the idealic village of Osturňa, Slovakia back in 2012(?). The house was important to me because it was where my grandmother was born in around 1894. The house dates back to 1889.

My intention was to repair the building, as it was leaning and the roof was in poor condition. But I got distracted with other projects. I allowed the house to slowly become uninhabitable.

I now am focusing on rebuilding the wood cottage. My plan is to dismantle the building and restore/replace the wood. But first I need a place to store the houses's contents, as well as a place to store the good wood that will be restored.

I began to build a workshop. The ground floor will contain my tools and the wood that will be reused. The first floor (or second floor in U.S. speak) will house all the stuff from inside the house.

I am in a rush to get the dismantling done as soon as possible, as it is already getting cold out. Little time is left for this year.

We Slowly Make Progress
First, it was necessary to create a plan and submit it to both the village municipal office and the historic office in Prešov. While awaiting approval, the surveyor came out to mark my property boundaries.

Approval arrived more quickly than expected, and we got to work right away.
The Foundation

The first task was to establish a foundation. This required several steps.

The Structure
My neighbor delivered the wood and the guys began work building.

As winter was fast approaching, it was paramount that the workshop's exterior walls get covered in a protective housewrap. I also needed the electric connection made.

In the last week of November, the workshop got a nice coat just in time for winter. The first snow arrived on the last day of November.

After a veiled threat, the electrician finally returned to complete the electricity hookup. Now there are lights inside, as well as Christmas lights outside!

With the cold and snowy conditions, we can do no more this year but wait.
After the foundation was dug, concrete arrived via an elephant trunk. All the neighbors just had to come and watch.
After the foundation was dug, concrete arrived via an elephant trunk. All the neighbors just had to come and watch.
The building material is primarily 20 cm. X 22 cm. wood support beams, and 20 cm. X 5 cm. cross beams.
The building material is primarily 20 cm. X 22 cm. wood support beams, and 20 cm. X 5 cm. cross beams.
Third week of October: OSB arrived and was quickly installed. Now the building is beginning to take shape.
Third week of October: OSB arrived and was quickly installed. Now the building is beginning to take shape.
Starting the roof
Starting the roof
The weekend passed quickly, and the walls went up without a hitch. The interior was now protected from the elements, which would allow me to begin storing items taken from my wooden house.
The weekend passed quickly, and the walls went up without a hitch. The interior was now protected from the elements, which would allow me to begin storing items taken from my wooden house.
Beginning the stairs
Beginning the stairs
Poochini is apprehensive
Poochini is apprehensive
Construction is moving along fine.
Construction is moving along fine.
End of second week of October, the ground floor structure is complete. Now we are awaiting arrival of the OSB.
End of second week of October, the ground floor structure is complete. Now we are awaiting arrival of the OSB.
It is not as long as it looks.
It is not as long as it looks.
An unflattering view of my "tiny house" where I currently reside.
An unflattering view of my "tiny house" where I currently reside.
Men at work
Men at work
The roof is moving along at a quick pace
The roof is moving along at a quick pace
One worker came down with the corona virus. A second was quarantining because his father had become infected. Fortunately, another person from the village was able to come help. Because of an impending threat of rain, we decided to prioritize protecting the OSB on the roof. The walls would have to wait until November.
One worker came down with the corona virus. A second was quarantining because his father had become infected. Fortunately, another person from the village was able to come help. Because of an impending threat of rain, we decided to prioritize protecting the OSB on the roof. The walls would have to wait until November.
As winter was fast approaching, it was paramount that the workshop's exterior walls get covered in a protective housewrap. I also needed the electric connection made. In the last week of November, the workshop got a nice coat just in time for winter. The first snow arrived on the last day of November. After a veiled threat, the electrician finally returned to complete the electricity hookup. Now there are lights inside, as well as Christmas lights outside! With the cold and snowy conditions, we can do no more this year but wait.
As winter was fast approaching, it was paramount that the workshop's exterior walls get covered in a protective housewrap. I also needed the electric connection made. In the last week of November, the workshop got a nice coat just in time for winter. The first snow arrived on the last day of November. After a veiled threat, the electrician finally returned to complete the electricity hookup. Now there are lights inside, as well as Christmas lights outside! With the cold and snowy conditions, we can do no more this year but wait.