Help me Brainstorm a new shop - Service station style

[PurdueSD]

I built my last shop (Project Truck Shop) myself with the help of my father. I did so with the intention of never moving. So things were over done, over kill...perfect. I was never moving, until we moved. Now my dad owns my shop and old house and we are living back in the house I grew up in. My father built this house and it's the house I've always considered home. Its a pretty amazing deal to be back home with my pregnant wife and soon to be two kids.

Ive been so busy moving and then remodeling over the course of the last year, that i haven't had much of a chance to miss having my shop. Well as of today -its is officially missed. We do have a 3 car attached so that helps some. I just recently finished the house remodel, so now its time to focus my attentions toward the shop build in my future.

I'm a project guy, I've always got to have one or 8 going on. Its how i stay sane, Anything from woodwork to welding to hot rods. My passion is vintage hot rods and old trucks though. I love them. This has got me thinking of building a shop a little outside of the box this time. A service station style garage/shop. Now there are some incredible places here, even some restored service station and even modern recreations. I haven't seen anybody build a new one quite like Ive got a hankering for though...

Here are some of my inspirations:

 

[PurdueSD]

If I'm going to do this, it can't be half assed. The last thing I'm after is some chessy mess. So some things are going to have to happen that are a little out of my wheelhouse and I could use some help Brainstorming.

Initial thoughts are 30'w X 42' Deep with a bump out off the right side maybe 12'W x 38'D

Put my 4 post back in the back left corner, use for storage 90% of the time, but is quite handy at times. Park my DD truck in front of the 4 post in the left bay. Set the center bay up for a 2 post in the future. Set up my welding/ fab area in front of that and around the corner up along the right wall. My model A hot rod needs a place to hide away from my 5yo's bike and light sabers. Im thinking up front at an angle behind the showroom windows would be pretty neat.

 

[PurdueSD]

I grew up building custom homes with my father. I am pretty familiar and comfortable with residential construction. We built my last shop. It was a block foundation, 2x6 wall building with attic storage trusses and 2 deferent eve heights. This shop is more of a commericial type structure- if i go this route with design. So some of the stuff has me head scratching a bit.

Side note: We do have some site constraints. I can't go much wider that 40-42' due to needing to maintain access to my gravel drive down over the hill to my old barn. The shop will also need to be built on sloped elevation, which will require a block or poured wall foundation. The back of the shop will need about 6' of foundation under it.

Here's a list of issues id love some input and ideas on.

1. Flat roof -- Ive always heard, don't do it. But i see flat roofs all over commercial structures. I am open to investigating a false front wall which would maintain the structure looking the part. I don't want to deal with roof leaks. We get some snow every year and leaves in the fall. Some minor maintenance is acceptable but I'm not looking for a major PIA. I guess i am looking a a low slop roof with a rubber membrane. Where do i start?

2. Eve height-- is 12'6" clear enough to work under a 3/4 ton pickup on a lift? I want to minimize the height of my structures appearance so i am open to cathedral truss designs.

3. Front Facade-- How can i achieve the look and make it look real and well kept. Im going for this really could have been an old service station. Split faced block, painted brick, board on batten? Stucko does not perform well in my area due to a lot of freeze thaw.

4. Layout/ Design. Im totally open to other shapes/footprints. Let me know if you have an idea. I do need to maintain a max width of about 42' and i would like this to not look like a warehouse next to my house. Thought the 12' wide bump out with a lower ceiling height would really break up the size of the structure.

Thanks guys! Appreciate it in advance.

 

[Nighttrain]

I'm following this. Been kicking around this idea for a couple years for two bay old gas station to use as car storage on our property. Very similar to your drawing. I would use block construction and a shallow slope roof. Red tile on the brick wall caps. I would though have a covered drive thru on the front with a island and gas pumps I front of the office

 

[NUTTSGT]

Funny, I look at your truck shop and think, that's what I'd rather have. You want a service station, like I have.

My garage area is too narrow but luckily, I have more depth to get a work area up front of the vehicles. There's also an area to the side of that mentioned area, it allows for a tool storage. The old part was the office/convience store is now the wood shop area. It's decent size but once you atart adding wood working tools and a work table and bench to that side, you start losing floor space.

My place was added on three times before I bought it. Then I added on it again to create a shed area (accessible from the outside only) for storage and to fix a couple of screwed up roof lines.

Putting the shed and the front overhang was probably the best thing I did.

 

[RogueFab]

I like where your head is with this. Congrats on the twins man! (If I understand your post... Or are you expecting just a second one and already have a little one?)

I would try to incorporate some of the old architecture. Like the round fronts, curved walls of windows, or non-vertical walls in the front. Nothing crazy, just a little something to bring it back to the past. I know that is not easy compared to a cube, but I think it will really make it pop.

 

[PurdueSD]

Funny, I look at your truck shop and think, that's what I'd rather have. You want a service station, like I have.

My garage area is too narrow but luckily, I have more depth to get a work area up front of the vehicles. There's also an area to the side of that mentioned area, it allows for a tool storage. The old part was the office/convience store is now the wood shop area. It's decent size but once you atart adding wood working tools and a work table and bench to that side, you start losing floor space.

My place was added on three times before I bought it. Then I added on it again to create a shed area (accessible from the outside only) for storage and to fix a couple of screwed up roof lines.

Putting the shed and the front overhang was probably the best thing I did.

Thanks for posting Nutt, I took a minute and looked at a couple pages of your shop thread. There definately are some similarities. How deep is your shop if you don't mind me asking? I think that may be a significant difference. You kind of modernized the old shop and it looks great! Honestly though I liked the charm of the old service doors you replaced. I want my shop to be a little out of the norm.

I like where your head is with this. Congrats on the twins man! (If I understand your post... Or are you expecting just a second one and already have a little one?)

I would try to incorporate some of the old architecture. Like the round fronts, curved walls of windows, or non-vertical walls in the front. Nothing crazy, just a little something to bring it back to the past. I know that is not easy compared to a cube, but I think it will really make it pop.

Thanks man, my thoughts exactly! Makes for a much more complicated build though. Hopefully some guys can help post up their experiences with this type of thing!. Hah, not twins thankfully, we've got a 5yo boy and a suprise in the oven

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for posting Nutt, I took a minute and looked at a couple pages of your shop thread. There defiantly are some similarities. How deep is your shop if you don't mind me asking? I think that may be a significant difference. You kind of modernized the old shop and it looks great! Honestly though I liked the charm of the old service doors you replaced. I want my shop to be a little out of the norm.

The original garage was about 22' deep I believe and then another 10' or so was added on. I'd have to measure it as I don't remember the exact size but I'm sure the garage area is 22' wide.

The old doors looked the part but were in bad shape with rot along the bottom and the glass let tons of heat out. Worse than letting the heat out, they let the prying eyes in. To counter both of those issues, I added foil faced polyiso to the doors.

The best advice I can offer is to try to to lay everything out on paper liek you're doing. You have the advantage of knowing what size works for you from the truck shop build. I look forward reading another great build thread. If you need any measurements to use as references, just let me know, I'd be happy to help out.

 

[D&S ChevelleSS]

I'm going to be following this thread also, very interesting idea...........

 

[PurdueSD]

Would love some input on these if anybody can help weigh in!

1. Flat roof -- Ive always heard, don't do it. But i see flat roofs all over commercial structures. I am open to investigating a false front wall which would maintain the structure looking the part. I don't want to deal with roof leaks. We get some snow every year and leaves in the fall. Some minor maintenance is acceptable but I'm not looking for a major PIA. I guess i am looking a a low slop roof with a rubber membrane. Where do i start?

2. Eve height-- is 12'6" clear enough to work under a 3/4 ton pickup on a lift? I want to minimize the height of my structures appearance so i am open to cathedral truss designs.

3. Front Facade-- How can i achieve the look and make it look real and well kept. Im going for this really could have been an old service station. Split faced block, painted brick, board on batten? Stucko does not perform well in my area due to a lot of freeze thaw.

4. Layout/ Design. Im totally open to other shapes/footprints. Let me know if you have an idea. I do need to maintain a max width of about 42' and i would like this to not look like a warehouse next to my house. Thought the 12' wide bump out with a lower ceiling height would really break up the size of the structure.

 

[macgyver37]

Is your new place in town or on a highway as to worry about traffic and people seeing more of what you have inside than is ideal? My shop is an old grocery store and it has glass full width of the store front. I loved it until I got worried about break ins, now it is boarded up until I can redo the front fascia to an easier to secure setup.

My building is flat roofed, 6000 sqft, the roof is in great shape now, but I am paranoid about it. Talked to a few guys and they say if you find a true old school roofer that knows their stuff a flat roof is no more maintenance than any other. If I had a choice, I'd probably go with some thing that I am more familiar with though.

You have been under your truck on a lift since I have been under a lift, but I do not think that 12-6 is tall enough.

Looks to me that all the inspiration pics you have posted use CMU's and get painted.

Design wise, you can do a block building for the bulk of the structure, but figure out how to do rounded corners even on the taller portion with your show room area having the curved features as well. Look at doing some protruding slightly sticking out blocks to make up a simple design, you see it more often in brick, but that will give some dimension to the block face.
If you aren't wanting to try your hand at being a mason, then I'd probably do something beside concrete.

IDK, I never get to start from scratch, so I am not good at ideas with little to no constraints. I am always remodeling.

 

[PurdueSD]

Is your new place in town or on a highway as to worry about traffic and people seeing more of what you have inside than is ideal? My shop is an old grocery store and it has glass full width of the store front. I loved it until I got worried about break ins, now it is boarded up until I can redo the front fascia to an easier to secure setup.

My building is flat roofed, 6000 sqft, the roof is in great shape now, but I am paranoid about it. Talked to a few guys and they say if you find a true old school roofer that knows their stuff a flat roof is no more maintenance than any other. If I had a choice, I'd probably go with some thing that I am more familiar with though.

You have been under your truck on a lift since I have been under a lift, but I do not think that 12-6 is tall enough.

Looks to me that all the inspiration pics you have posted use CMU's and get painted.

Design wise, you can do a block building for the bulk of the structure, but figure out how to do rounded corners even on the taller portion with your show room area having the curved features as well. Look at doing some protruding slightly sticking out blocks to make up a simple design, you see it more often in brick, but that will give some dimension to the block face.
If you aren't wanting to try your hand at being a mason, then I'd probably do something beside concrete.

IDK, I never get to start from scratch, so I am not good at ideas with little to no constraints. I am always remodeling.

First off, Thank you!

Yes, visual security isn't a high concern. I live off the beaten path and the shop will have a number of other security options.

Thanks for the insight, you have given me some good ideas on ways to add some of the "uniqueness" i am after. I need to do some local digging into masonry contractors and start getting a feeling for whats available and cost effective around here.

CMU- is that an acronym for concrete block?

 

[macgyver37]

Yes, architects and such call cinder block or concrete block CMU's = concrete masonry units. Weird, but that is what is called out on professional plans.

 

[wasfast]

The classic hot tar roof (hot mop on tar paper) gave many older buildings trouble. The next newer step is torchdown. The raw material comes in 3' wide rolls and uses a torch to melt the overlaps together. Done right, it's much better than hot tar as the roll is a multilayer construction that helps with expansion/contraction.

There are full rubber versions that are glued down and also some poly versions. I'm not up on the latest but are considered good options. For the size of your building, it shouldn't be cost prohibitive. Consult with some commercial roofers for options.

 

[bmw57isetta]

PerdueSD:

Here's the layout of a basic Gulf station that was floating around a few years ago. I could live in a place like this but I'd be living there alone.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Welcome, sounds like a fantastic project! I look forward to seeing this come together. What kind of old vehicles are you into???

 

[PurdueSD]

The classic hot tar roof (hot mop on tar paper) gave many older buildings trouble. The next newer step is torchdown. The raw material comes in 3' wide rolls and uses a torch to melt the overlaps together. Done right, it's much better than hot tar as the roll is a multilayer construction that helps with expansion/contraction.

There are full rubber versions that are glued down and also some poly versions. I'm not up on the latest but are considered good options. For the size of your building, it shouldn't be cost prohibitive. Consult with some commercial roofers for options.

Awesome thanks! I've been doing some reading and I am thinking a full rubber 1 piece is the way to go.

PerdueSD:

Here's the layout of a basic Gulf station that was floating around a few years ago. I could live in a place like this but I'd be living there alone.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks for the blueprint! That rules!

Welcome, sounds like a fantastic project! I look forward to seeing this come together. What kind of old vehicles are you into???

I really like early fords and most all classic pickups.
I have a 29 ford phaeton hot rod and a 51 Chevy pickup project

 

[PurdueSD]

 

[Thumper68]

Here is my favorite gas station, much bigger than you were thinking but I would love to scale it down. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright it is in Cloquet, MN

Back in the early 90's I worked for a welding shop that was in 2 of the bays.

 

[SkinnyPedal]

A cool pic of a local restored Gulf and our 1977 F-100 with crown vic swap. build thread; http://www.gaorc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2851

 

[PurdueSD]

Here is my favorite gas station, much bigger than you were thinking but I would love to scale it down. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright it is in Cloquet, MN

Back in the early 90's I worked for a welding shop that was in 2 of the bays.

That thing is neat, not quite my taste with the japanese style pagoda thing, but still really cool to look at!

A cool pic of a local restored Gulf and our 1977 F-100 with crown vic swap. build thread; http://www.gaorc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2851

The little ones are some of my favorite to look at!

 

[BuickFarmer]

Thanks for stopping in on my thread and am excited by what I am reading you want to do. A few comments I'll make re you questions above.

Let the design of the building be guided by the character and style that YOU like. Everybody has a circa of buildings they gravitate toward. Mine is Victorian Farmhouse style and while my Buicks are all 1954, I wanted to keep with the character of the rest of my house, barns and grounds. False fronts can be and were built of many different type materials. A lot of the old Gulf stations for instance were built of concrete block but had pre fabbed metal front facades. And actually those can sometimes be found, deconstructed moved and restored.
I think 12' would handle a lift and your truck project but man I like vaulted ceilings, so I used 3/12 interior/5/12 exterior vaulted trusses on my build. The 5/12 roof helped keep the over all height of the front facade down and to scale with the width and rest of the building. SCALE is everything. From height and width of the building to the height/width of doors/windows/overhangs etc etc. But being a builder I am sure you are aware of that. You also seem to be able to use computer drawing aids which I never took the time to learn and have been just building it all in my head then sketching it on graph paper or card board boxes and building it.

Really look forward to following your concept design then your build once you figure it out. Subscribing now!!!

 

[BuickFarmer]

Couple other things, you may want to add your new thread link to your signature so it can be pulled up from other members threads. And also, do you plan to start a new thread when you actually start building. I would hope you would just continue this one but then the title would be a bit misleading?
Also, considering your hot rod and truck project I think a 1930-40's style with a brick veneer front would be fantastic. (Such as the old Sinclair stations, of which the GJ banner is one)

Here are a couple of my favorite sites on the subject.

http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/46-gas-stations.htm

http://www.thc.state.tx.us/public/u...hway/Field Guide to Gas Stations in Texas.pdf

 

[PurdueSD]

Couple other things, you may want ...[/url]

Thanks BuickFarmer!

Ive actually spent the last couple weeks just scheming and thinking. And I'm actually starting to lean away from the service station style. While i love the look and feel of the old service stations...actually pulling one off that isn't some service station themed fiasco seems rather difficult in this day and era.

The large signs, porcelain panel facades... the unique stuff - its what really makes the look for me. Im not sure I'm willing to settle for some "almost it" creation.

Another factor is, i am starting to lean towards a divided or partially divided shop. Aesthetically and functionally the service station theme presents some hurdles to overcome here. I seem to always have projects in various stages. From finished cars to frame off projects. Throw in some carpentry and you've got a good coating of crud on everything.

Id like to keep the building from looking to much like a warehouse, so eave height is a concern. With another building direction, I might be able to accomplish this better -vaulted ceiling/cathedral trusses, etc. You know something to break up the rooflines and create something more customizable.... Im thinking a portion of the shop set up with my 4 post lift -more of a storage/maintenance (clean) area. While the other part of my shop being more dedicated to fabrication, welding and general (dirty) projects. Also a loft area would be an added bonus that i really enjoyed in my last shop. Its got me thinking that something like more similar to @Ryan 's shop may be a better fit for my needs. But, what the heck do i know...hah!

How this all works out I'm not really sure yet. Im sure ill go back and forth a hundred times before i get something figured out. Ive got some time though and i enjoy thinking it through.

 

[PurdueSD]

Well, I'm back and forth but what the hey...

One of these went up in town and it's got me thinking! Kinda neat where you can find inspiration if you're looking. I've been really digging the sand colored brick with white and silver mixed in. Mid century modern with a bit of a modern-modern spin...

 

[justafurnaceman]

I'm really interested in your project. I'm tempted to make a service station my retire home since that's where I'll be spending most of my time. Good luck!

 

[matt_i]

All of the shop designs I see have big expanses of glass. That of course add to the exterior flair and uniqueness, but don't add much to the interior...security, heat loss, risk of breakage, etc. You could mitigate some of those by building a wall (and room) just inside that would help both of the above problems. But again, how to make it a valuable part of the shop.

I think if you want a flat or minimal pitch, the 1 pc EPDM rubber is the way to go. But, I have no idea on price. Guessing more expensive due to premium material made really wide and have to be very confident in your cuts.

I'm not much help other than that.

 

[Nighttrain]

 

[Nighttrain]

 

[Nighttrain]

Couple I thought were cool, First two just have something about them!

 

[PurdueSD]

Thank you all so much. definitely a lot to think about and consider.... Kinda fun though!
This thread is just a brainstorming session for me. I know I'm a bit all over the map, thanks for your help and input!

Glass: this shops going to have glass... starting with some glass overhead service station style doors. These are something I've dreamed about since I was a kid! no matter the style I end up!. And probably several other windows to add to the openness. Frankly, it is something my last shop lacked!

 

[PurdueSD]

This house has me inspired. Throw a couple glass overhead doors in that tall wall and I think I'm on to something! I love the exaggerated overhangs and shed roof. mor mid century than service station... But they are kinda th same, aren't they!

 

[hewey]

Given your taste in pickups and hot rods, I'd suggest looking at 50s and earlier architecture is a good place to start.

In terms of the roof, why not do something like this, where there is a brick facade, with a regular roof hidden behind it?

Cool dealership style could be an alternative to the gas station theme?

This is quite similar to your sketch!

Something different

 

[hewey]

Too modern, but it could easily adapted to be more vintage

A little more mid century modern, and the full length glass would let plenty of light in.

This place has an interesting shape to it

You may also consider a mid century style butterfly roof? Have the 'showroom' section in the front and the workshop at the back?

 

[PurdueSD]

Given your taste in pickups and hot rods, I'd suggest looking at 50s and earlier architecture is a good place to start.

In terms of the roof, why not do something like this, where there is a brick facade, with a regular roof hidden behind it?

Cool dealership style could be an alternative to the gas station theme?

The flat front facade is definitely a consideration. However, to get a 32-40' deep shop while maintaining a tall workable ceiling inside, you have to either go super tall in the front or really low pitch. Or run a gable behind the false front wall. While these are options, i don't know that they quite do "it" for me.

Ya i really appreciate service station architecture. Its all over the map. I guess i am starting to lean a little towards the later end of the era. Like that ^ ford dealership, more so than the last pic you posted. More clean, less formal.

 

[PurdueSD]

Too modern, but it could easily adapted to be more vintage

Hewey, these are all seriously awesome. I actually love the modern aspect of the simple block shop. Awesome!
-I wonder how they did the roof? Looks to be 12' inside maybe?

The rest are great too!

 

[JC23]

Hey! Great idea. Like so many on here, this would be my ideal shop, too.

Have you seen the shop of Roger55? It's the thread that got me onto GJ. Here's a link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8044&highlight=Roger55

And best of luck!

 

[PurdueSD]

Hey! Great idea. Like so many on here, this would be my ideal shop, too.

Have you seen the shop of Roger55? It's the thread that got me onto GJ. Here's a link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8044&highlight=Roger55

And best of luck!

Yes sir, he did a great job with that one! His island pump station really makes that place pop! Im headed a little different direction with roof lines i think.

 

[JC23]

Great! Can't wait to see it.

Also, on that Baker Motor Co pic, those flat facades usually cover a domed, gable or even round roof. That might be your answer.