Modern Garage in Far East

[abstamaria]

A rubber tree was on the property when we moved in, growing some 4 meters from where we first built the garage. Over the years, it grew to over 3 stories tall, and its roots started to threaten the building. We didn't have the heart to cut it down, so we decided to move it during the garage renovation this year. This was not an easy job, as there was no access for a crane and the new spot for it was upslope on a hill.

The landscaper trimmed the tree, built a large scaffolding with a huge block and tackle, moved it across the small pond, and with sheer manpower wrestled it up the hill. The job took several days.

The picture with the tree being set up in its new location also shows the method of construction popular here - steel posts and beams and hollow- block walls. As Bib Overalls confirmed, cement is the material of choice here, and termites are pretty aggresive. I marvel at the fine, craftsmanlike work done by many people on their garages, documented on this thread, and am embarassed by my own lack of physical involvement in my construction!

The other picture shows the tree propped up but finally standing on the hill.

 

[abstamaria]

My Old Garage

For 24 years, this was my garage.

It had a brick floor, which didn't mind jacks or fallen tools, a nice wood workbench I made myself, and the one Stahwille tool cart, pictured earlier, with all my tools in it. My work area with the drillpress, etc., and storeroom were at the far end, where the red car is in the picture, but gave way to an extra bay. With that, it became a 3-car garage, with an extra space for the bench, tools, and assembly work. Since I am not good at selling cars, in the end 5 cars were crammed into the space.

I spent many happy hours in that garage. I had only the green Lotus in the beginning and restored it there, removing the body from the frame, refurbishing, and assembling it bolt by bolt. I only farmed out the painting of the body shell and did order a fully built engine from a specialist, but otherwise did all the work myself. 14 years after restoration, when a paint shop messed up the detail work I did on the frame, engine bay, etc., I restored it again. It won its class at a concours again and in fact was the highest point car, giving way only to an older car. A week later, I spun out at a vintage race, bent the chassis, and so took it apart and put it back again, putting in a new engine from another specialist in England. I restored it a total of 3 times, taking 2 years each time since I did all the work by myself, except again for the painting. Here is the engine bay now. The radiator and some other parts are not standard, but are period-correct reproductions of the special parts used on the factory racing model of the Elan - the 26R. I do know (or did anyway) each part of that car by sight!

 

[Scout Driver]

Your story about restoring your Lotus multiple times was a great read. Not many people would take such a beautifully done car and enjoy it the way it was truly intended to be. I've followed this thread from the beginning and have loved the pictures and any new posts. Your garage is the most sanitary place I have seen. Love the contrast between the red Proto boxes and the white decor.

Scott

 

[Greg-nwo]

Wow, amazing garage. I truly love the simple clean minimalist approach. Gives me a lot of good ideas and inspiration for my garage.

I think I speak for most when I say keep the pictures coming

 

[tpond]

Have you done any events in the Lancia?
Your taste in architecture and autos is impeccable!

 

[Justanoldguy]

What does the crank handles on the side do? You have to wind the shelves up to make them work? Kind of like the crank radios?

Love the sense of humour.
Are you a KIwi?

 

[993James993]

I find that the simplicity and plainess of the design tends to declutter my mind, but the minimalistic approach, especially in the home, does require a slight change in lifestyle. We have only one TV set, I have only a bed and couch in my bedroom, and so forth.

I'm having trouble understanding the minimalist approach. I should say that I admire minimalist design and open rooms with no clutter. I just can't seem to easily achieve that state, and when I do, it's usually short lived.

Is this a life long ability or something that you took up at some point? Was it difficult? Does it require constant attention to maintain?

I realize that my questions stray from the topic of your garage but I would like to know more, if only for my own selfish reasons.

I will soon have my own garage and I already have a mental list of banned items that will not be allowed inside. This includes yard tools, bicycles, Christmas supplies, left over building materials and so forth. But just because I don't want this stuff in the garage I still have it and must put it somewhere.

Add to that the fact that I have already starting collecting so much stuff for the garage that I won't have enough space to hold it. This good stuff includes three workbenches, (One with a vise!) A rolling tool cabinet with a separate top box (I'm still searching Craigslist for a middle box) and another top box identical to the first (this one was a steal that I couldn't pass up-so now I'm looking for a matching rolling cabinet just like the first.)

Andres, any insight you can provide is welcomed!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us.

 

[abstamaria]

Thank you, Greg-Nwo and tpond. The cars are basic sports cars and the house itself quite simple, but I appreciate your comments. I haven't used the Stratos in competition, preferring the Lotuses (I am a Lotus man). The Stratos is quite a "nervous" car, very exciting to drive, and demanding full attention at all times.

 

[abstamaria]

Minimalist Ethic

Jim, it wasn’t a deliberate philosophical move for me. Like all car guys, I had posters, trophies, models, and tools on walls, and thought a checkered floor would be neat. As I got older, I wanted to reduce clutter, keep a clean desk, and that has led to a preference for a "minimalist" house.

There are some helpful guidelines to reducing visual clutter. Put things in closets rather than open shelves, avoid “displaying” anything, look for clean lines and symmetry. Don’t add to your things; for instance, no travel souvenirs. If, in the last 5 years you never looked at or needed something in storage, get rid of it. That’s the theory, anyway. Keeping things simple at home and the garage is like trying to lose weight; most of the time it feels like a losing battle.

We have a storeroom, not a large one, for Christmas things, suitcases, household spares, etc. We have 2 Rubbermaid garden sheds, where we keep the lawn mower, rakes, spray paint cans, etc. They are quite packed now, so I promised myself I will go through them next weekend. I have resolved to get rid of my prized Nikon film SLRs, lenses, and the dehumidifier they are kept in, but still have to plan where to put all my car magazines and the differential, suspension arms, and other original parts from my Elan (enough to build another car). It is a constant battle.

The charm of your arts-and-crafts home and garage may not be consistent with a very lean style, though.

In the mid-70s, I watched a film on the Mexican architect Luis Barragan at the MoMA in NY, and that influenced me greatly. I like the early work of Richard Meier and the Japanese Tadao Ando (my favorite architect), so perhaps I was predisposed to a bare style. I also like Shaker furniture and their design ethic. I also find objects, like a finely made wood chest of drawers, for instance, stand out in isolation in a plain setting, so that provides much incentive to me.

Here is the well-known Koshino house by Ando in Japan, which you’ve probably seen before It is extremely bare. The walls are unpainted concrete.

 

[993James993]

Good Morning Andres, Thanks for your comments. If I understand correctly, you are saying it is a question of being aware and paying attention. This makes sense.

Part of my problem is that I have trouble getting rid of certain things. One example is packaging for major items. I have a plasma TV and of course the shipping box it came in. I hope I never need that box but if I do I'll be glad.

Thank you for mentioning Tadao Ando along with Barragan and Meier. I am familiar with the latter two but not with Ando. I'll certainly check out his work.

Two more quick comments (Perhaps one to test your resolve I have a Nikon D-1 digital SLR. It accepts all of my older Nikon lenses and gives them new life. Before you get rid of a collection wonderful lenses that is similar in many ways to your cars, consider getting a professional Nikon D series camera. You will love the results.

Finally, Arts and Crafts was considered minimalist 100 years ago, in contrast to the ornate Victorian style.

Thank you!

 

[abstamaria]

Good I have a Nikon D-1 digital SLR. It accepts all of my older Nikon lenses and gives them new life. Before you get rid of a collection wonderful lenses that is similar in many ways to your cars, consider getting a professional Nikon D series camera. You will love the results.

Oh, no, I wish you didn't tell me that, Jim!

My best.

PS: I have been reading up on Arts and Crafts. It is a very interesting and engaging style and to me full of local color and nuances. I love it.

 

[993James993]

Actually my D1 is probably considered an antique at this point. The CCD in the camera is smaller than a 35mm frame which has the effect of making your lenses 'longer.' When I first bought this camera it was like getting my old photographic style back, after several years of using point and shoot digital cameras.

 

[type550]

I'm with you Andres - I like the uncluttered look with clean lines. There has to be a space for everything and mostly out of site. I travel a lot and it is nice to come home to a sense of organisation at least in one part of my life. To walk in and not have stuff all over the place destresses me!

 

[abstamaria]

Jim, in an effort to simplify, I've been using a Leica DLux4, which you might know is a small fixed-lens camera. It is identical to my wife's Lumix, but has the red Leica dot and makes me feel superior to her from a photographic viewpoint. Still, it is simple and small, so is quite a relief and, as an alternative to a large SLR with multiple lenses) so liberating. I gave up the Hasselblad some months ago and will probably let go my 30+ years of Nikons.

I glad you agree, Type550. It is an effort though to keep things sorted and put away.

 

[993James993]

Andres, I have too many cameras and for the past three or so years have carried a Canon Digital Elph with me at pretty much all times. Like your DLux4 it's simple and small and intuitive to use. Even though this is the camera that I use every day, I can't imagine getting rid of any of my Nikon gear. I started acquiring Nikon lenses when I was a teenager and when most of them were still branded Nippon Kogaku. Relative to my resources at that time they were very expensive and obtaining one was a stellar event. Most of them are not worth much anymore, even though they are as good now as they were when new.

 

[abstamaria]

Separating work area from garage

I always intended to separate the work area from the parking bays, so that I would have a clean and neat area to retreat to in the middle of a repair. I wanted to be able to close up the disorder that usually accompanies my repair work, but didn't want a solid divider.

Today, finally, the contractor installed the divider between the work and parking areas. We used fluted polycarbonate sheets, which are clear but distorts sufficiently to disguise whatever is going on in the work bays. They still allow light to go through, which is important to me. The aluminum track neatly covered the junction between the tiled and epoxied floors - a bonus.

The work and parking bays have their own airconditioning units. With the divider, we can now aircondition the work area separately from the main garage.

 

[type550]

it just keeps getting better...

 

[aqr81]

Absolutely 1st rate - top class! Amazing.

 

[thdewey]

Wow, simply wow! I really like this minimalist feel. I wish that I could talk the rest of the family into that. Now I'm inspired to go home and really be ruthless about cleaning stuff out.

Boy, the colors of the beautiful cars and books in the library really stand out against the neutral color walls. I bet that this something about you. Thanks for posting.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Thank you, all. It is not easy to keep the workshop or garage neat and uncluttered. For me, the key has been to put tools, spare parts, lubricants, etc., in closed tool boxes and cabinets, so that there is less visual clutter to start with. A plain white floor also helps a great deal. However, during a car repair or restoration, things do get out of hand very quickly and the place does get quite cluttered. I just have to force myself to clean up and put things away periodically.

I could use professional help in detailing the cars, but there are large bodies of water that separate me from probably everyone else on Garage Journal!

The drum kit is for our garage band. I play guitar (very badly) for a cover band that plays only instrumentals by the U.S. band The Ventures and the U.K. band The Shadows. If you are younger than 55, you probably have never heard of them. Since The Ventures use different equipment from The Shadows (Fender versus Vox amplifiers, for instance), and we do try to get the "sound" right, this occasional interest has introduced its own clutter to the workshop.

The current garage renovation has meant no band practice this year. That's my cousin Bob in the workshop, visiting from Monterey, CA, where he plays jazz professionally, and Anna, a doctor who plays bass guitar in our band. We put carpets on the floor during rehearsals to try to control the acoustics.

Andres

Is that the Hank Marvin Strat I see there to the right of your wife?

TheGrooveking

 

[Monte]

Simply amazing !!!!!!

 

[JC23]

abstamaria,

Add my name to the long list of fellow garagers digging your fine facility. Also, add me to your list of fellow Surf music fans. (Ventures Rule!) And to make it a triple play, a proud Nikon user (two D100s and before that, three FE2s - still have those!)

Seeing how a trip to PI is not in my immediate future, when can I get one of your Surf CDs for my collection?

Wow, the world isn't really that large after all!

 

[Rkfdspeed]

To all who pass and post here...most certainly- abstamaria,

Thank you!

The internet is a wonderfully enriching place. Within this thread I feel I have traveled a worldly epic journey from my home in the rural farmland of Illinois..to the islands of the phillipeans...and adjoining spots around the globe.....hearing great life stories along this thread.

Simply a beautiful home and expression of good things...thanks for taking time to share.

 

[Hutch]

Great shop and Garage. I have recently found myself doing far more cleaning and organizing than wrenching, and it is an effort to keep things clean. I do find it pays off when I do find the time to work on things though. Thanks for sharing!

 

[abstamaria]

Is that the Hank Marvin Strat I see there to the right of your wife?

TheGrooveking

You have sharp eyes and apparently know the Shadows, Grooveking (are you from the UK?). But, no, the red Stratocaster is a Fender Customshop reissue of the guitar that Hank Marvin used after his first Stratocaster (the first Stratocaster in England, for those not familiar with the Shadows). You can tell by the rosewood fretboard.

But we do have a Fender Masterbuilt "Hank Marvin" Stratocaster, down to the gold hardware and figured maple neck, and a matching Fender Precision Bass to boot, shown below. We are very lucky. Our bassist (a doctor in real life) loves the Precision, as must be evident in the next photo.

Our "band" doesn't play regularly, but we did do a series of scripted shows last year, focusing on popular music from 1958 to 1962, including from the Ventures and the Shadows. We have some 14 members for the shows and call the company "The Madeleine Cookie Company." Our French colleagues in this forum might recognize the reference to Marcel Proust's book. That's us playing "Atlantis" by the Shadows, complete with chorus! We sometimes have live strings and French horns. Very difficult to put together, but fun.

Sorry for the off-topic, but I suppose garage bands do fit in garage forums.

JC23, we're watching The Ventures live tonight! They're playing in Manila! Small world indeed.

 

[juiced10]

Living so far from suppliers and at one time racing two English vintage cars, I have had to maintain a store of spare parts. I keep parts separately from the garage, since I don't need to access them frequently. What has worked for me is a stacker, which saves space and yet allows an easy view of my inventory of spares. Here are two views.

Awesome garage. Funny looking through the pictures I saw your high density shelving system. I install those systems for KardexRemstar.I am just waiting to install one in my garage. Looks right at home.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Thanks, evening shots with good lighting produce interesting photos. I'm not sure what "OP's" means, but the only cars are those 2 English and 2 Italian cars. Except for the Dino, they have been with me many years (the Lotus since 1977). Here are two pictures that show the exterior and interior - the garage was, still is actually, under construction. I was reluctant to post because the modern, very minimalist style usually isn't very popular. I am glad you like the design or at least the night shots.

abs, don't be in fear of posting here at GJ, all kinds are welcome. I like the Minimalist look. If it works for you it works for many.

My plan on my shop and garage area is to have most of my tools in my shop behind doors and my separate garage which is attached to the house to have noting but two vehicles in it. I want a clean and white are that looks like an empty shoe box when you drive in.

I remember the Ventures, Walk Don't Run, Mr Moto, Out of Limits...

 

[HIRISC]

Great space.. I personally prefer the 'less is more' approach.

 

[swharris]

I like it! The space reminds me of this one -

[from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off]

LOL...love that movie! I still cringe thinking of that car going out the back!

 

[reznunt]

cute shop dog! =)

and nice house by the way!

 

[49tandc]

Having spent a little time in Manilla, I'd be afraid of taking any ouf your beautiful cars out. I'd feel better about the scoot in traffic. Maybe go to the MD Juan factory and build a stainless jeep(ney) & blend in more, but the traffic would scare me so in your cars...

49T&C

 

[Munich77]

Wow this has to be the coolest garage I have ever seen. What a great taste of vehicles too. I know the architecture might not be for everyone but personally I think it is awesome. I love how clean and bright the garage is.

 

[KYGTP]

Simply amazing space. I don't think I have ever seem anything like it, and I LOVE IT

Thanks for sharing. It almost looks like no one lives there But really cool though.

 

[moto.aero]

Fantastic space. Thank you for taking the time to post photos and answer questions, it's been fun to read/view. My dad was stationed at Clark in the mid-70s, and although I was 11, I still remember the crazy drive to Bagio City!

 

[sr71sss]

andres,

wow pare I didnt know they were any ******** car addicts in manila because of the insane traffic we have there, looking at your place during all 6 pages have made me missing home very much, I miss the family and miss my good friends.

great use of space and I'm sure it was limited in size due to land being sparce there in the city, I hail from lucena city/tayabas in the quezon province so we have a little more land to build from, I think in 15 years I plan to build a vacation house that will have elements from your build, I like the idea of minimalist since it does help with peace in your mind and able to use your time more wisely- I have a 3 car garage that suffers from cramming in too many car with parts all around and can't seem to focus since I'm always looking for that missing tool amongst the cluttered mess I have in my lovely 3 car garage LOL...

Crazy drive yes- I remember driving up to baguio city in 1983 with my uncle in the lead and seeing one of his hubcaps popping off because he was hustling his car around the Mt. roads, there is no room for error there I remember as a kid-noy how I would love to drive there someday in one of my rides.

I will be considering tile next time around as my almost 6 year old epoxy floors are showing its age since I actively build my mitsubishis galant vr4, datsun 510 bluebird cars so I dont feel too bad but always wanted to try out tiles to see if they will provide a better atmosphere when not wrenching on cars.


btw andres would you know Lito Abastillas in san juan, he is my uncle that is a retired from meralco

conrad

 

[abstamaria]

Andres, I have too many cameras and for the past three or so years have carried a Canon Digital Elph with me at pretty much all times. Like your DLux4 it's simple and small and intuitive to use. Even though this is the camera that I use every day, I can't imagine getting rid of any of my Nikon gear. I started acquiring Nikon lenses when I was a teenager and when most of them were still branded Nippon Kogaku. Relative to my resources at that time they were very expensive and obtaining one was a stellar event. Most of them are not worth much anymore, even though they are as good now as they were when new.

I understand fully, Jim. In my 20s in NY, I would starve, scrape, and save for those precious Nikkor lenses, so expensive for me. They were mechanical delights, and I treasured them. The 24mm and 105mm were my favorites. I have had the lenses and the bodies in a dry box plugged in the storeroom. I have not touched them for years and probably never will use them again. That tells me I should let them go. I write that easily, but it is a sad decision for me.

 

[oldskoolgixxer]

my sweet lord....this house workshop garage & car collection is a thing of devine beauty... better than the garage of my dreams.... this isnt a house its a piece if art.....

i have just copied the pictures , ans sent them to my email contacts and they are also now in love...

 

[GarageMac]

Wow! Simply amazing. Thank you for taking the time to post, and please continue.

I'm with you on the camera equipment. I too am doing the very same thing (mentally and physically) with my 'analog' Nikon/nikkor stuff.

 

[thomfr]

Hello,

Unbelievable!!!!!!!
What a beautifull dream place and cars..
This must be garage heaven, where does father ... live?

Love also Italian cars (Alfa Romeo at the moment only) and Land Rovers and love my Nikon D60 but I can only put my stuff inside, the cars have to live at my parents due to lack of space. (I will post a seperate topic to show you my "space" this weekend).

Resperct!

Thom

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Very Impressive!! How about a some pics of your toolbox contents? Lets see what you're using to maintain that fine machinery.