New guy with crazy garage idea.

[Briggs]

Briggs big 1 car garage

UPDATE!!

3 years ago, when I started the this thread I was in Iraq and was using sketchup to design a garage with living space above. Great for a single guy like myself but horrible resale value and to a small market of people. Plus, I want to have a family some day and cant raise a baby in that kind of house.

Im out of the army now. Doing the reserve thing. Im renting a 2 bed, 2 bath house with a rather large L-shaped 1 car garage. It has a work space to store my bike and my kart. Also has space for my work area for the welding that I do.

Im planning on buying a 3 bed 2 bath house with a 2 car garage with at least 1/2 an acre in the next 2 years. Then when I run out of room in the 2 car ill build a shop in the back yard.

Here are some pictures of my current garage.

Looking out into the driveway, not sure why the owner didn't put concrete down.

This door leads to the back yard, the yard is really small, great for a rental home. Not much space for my pup to run around tho.

My work area. All the shelves where put in by the owner.

My bike and my newest 5 drawer chest that holds all my welding tools.

Garage has 2 of these natural gas heaters that work really well.

No garage is complete without...

Outside picture.

 

[NitroPress]

Holy cow, soldier, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Nice renderings, nice layout.

 

[Zeke]

Nice so far.

You work on your car 20 min away and you're in Iraq? What kind of car is it?

 

[Briggs]

Yes sir I do, Im in Iraq and dont do ****, it helps to have 6 years of architectural experience, more like doodling. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Briggs]

Nice so far.

You work on your car 20 min away and you're in Iraq? What kind of car is it?

No, back on Bragg I drive 20 mins to the storage unit. I should have been more specific.

I am building a 1993 Nissan 240sx convertible drift car. Full cage, the whole 9 yards, its getting a LS1 heart transplant.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I would leave the bottom level for garage stuff, and build a 2nd floor over 2/3 of it (basically what you have upstairs plus the 2nd bay, and leave the 1st bay open to the roof for a lift). That way you would have more floor space downstairs, and basically the same amount of living space

 

[gtivr4]

Do you REALLY want to live in the same environment as your cars, fumes, welding etc all will get in your food, bathroom etc. I'd want a little more division and maybe a firewall between the two myself. I think everyone likes the idea of living in a garage, but I don't think many people would like the reality. Its also a great way to stay single (might be fine now, but you never know who you might meet).

 

[Thruxton]

I like it! Nice bit of thinking outside the usual house/garage box! Floor treatment in the garage area, I'm thinking a section maybe 4-5 feet wide running across the garage and adjacent to the wall that separates the living spaces will help create a "zone" distinction between living and work space without having an actual wall to separate them. I have a friend in Ithaca NY who has actually done something similar to this, and it is very cool.

 

[FJ 432]

I would leave the bottom level for garage stuff, and build a 2nd floor over 2/3 of it (basically what you have upstairs plus the 2nd bay, and leave the 1st bay open to the roof for a lift). That way you would have more floor space downstairs, and basically the same amount of living space

I agree with this idea. Your basic plan is nice and adding the second floor will give you more room, become more desirable to future buyers (3 bedrooms, 2 baths).

Thanks for your service.

 

[Briggs]

I would leave the bottom level for garage stuff, and build a 2nd floor over 2/3 of it (basically what you have upstairs plus the 2nd bay, and leave the 1st bay open to the roof for a lift). That way you would have more floor space downstairs, and basically the same amount of living space

That is a pretty good idea. Might try to put that in my plans. Maybe put the bedroom, bathroom, and laundry upstairs. Leave a 1/2 bath and kitchen with a spare room down stairs.

Or just have a 1/2 bath down stairs and everything else up stairs. Have a 10' ceiling down stairs with a 30x30 would reduce my foundation and roof cost...

Do you REALLY want to live in the same environment as your cars, fumes, welding etc all will get in your food, bathroom etc. I'd want a little more division and maybe a firewall between the two myself. I think everyone likes the idea of living in a garage, but I don't think many people would like the reality. Its also a great way to stay single (might be fine now, but you never know who you might meet).

Thats something that has been on my mind. The welding fumes would be the worst.

I like it! Nice bit of thinking outside the usual house/garage box! Floor treatment in the garage area, I'm thinking a section maybe 4-5 feet wide running across the garage and adjacent to the wall that separates the living spaces will help create a "zone" distinction between living and work space without having an actual wall to separate them. I have a friend in Ithaca NY who has actually done something similar to this, and it is very cool.

What I did in the new one was I raised the "living floor" 4 inches higher than the garage floor. Now Im thinking of redoing the entire thing, again....

I love this place. You guys a loading my brain full of ideas. Keep the coming...

 

[Cryptic1911]

That is a pretty good idea. Might try to put that in my plans. Maybe put the bedroom, bathroom, and laundry upstairs. Leave a 1/2 bath and kitchen with a spare room down stairs.

Or just have a 1/2 bath down stairs and everything else up stairs. Have a 10' ceiling down stairs with a 30x30 would reduce my foundation and roof cost...



Thats something that has been on my mind. The welding fumes would be the worst.



What I did in the new one was I raised the "living floor" 4 inches higher than the garage floor. Now Im thinking of redoing the entire thing, again....

I love this place. You guys a loading my brain full of ideas. Keep the coming...

Well, what I would do is keep a 1/2 ******* downstairs in the back corner, and run regular stairs over it to upstairs with a door that closes (and seals nice to keep fumes out), and do everything else upstairs. Leave it the 30x40, and still cover 2/3 of it with the 2nd floor, but instead of leaving a balcony, put up a wall so it's completely closed off from the downstairs. Throw in some ventilation for the garage to try and get rid of some of the fumes, and it'll probably work out just fine

 

[Fastback]

I would not want an open plan garage, hell I dont even want my garage attached to my house in the event of fire. My garage is a shop environment with welding and spraying and that smell is not going to be stopped by a traditional wall.

So, it kinda depends on what kind of work you really do on your car, some guys think of oil changes, tire rotating and waxing as "work", I dont think that kind of stuff would be an issue at all. However, if you plan on spraying Epoxy, bead blasting or sanding the mess and smell will be an issue.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I second the idea of putting a second level on as the live in space. Either as a true second floor, or using trusses with a loft framed into them. This way you can use a couple layers of vapor barrier to separate the garage and living space, and obviously you'll want to have someone who knows more about HVAC plan out some good air ventilation to ensure you're only getting good clean air in your living space.

 

[r6_cannibal]

The idea is cool. If you throw some glass on the top floor between the ceiling and balcony it should help with the fumes. If you build this, let me know if you need a roommate

Thanks for your service. Cool avatar too, i like cereal

 

[dittle fart around]

There was a special on tv about a racing family that spent most of their time on the road and came back to a sheet metal shop building with living quarters included. I think if you included a balcony open to the garage you could sit and enjoy the garage. Then include a series of sliding glass doors upstairs and down, you would get that living in a garage feel and close out the dirt.

 

[stick004]

First off, We are all in debt to you and your brothers for your service.

2nd, that would be one awesome garage. But here in the Midwest, (St. Louis MO) that would never pass code as a primary resisdence. Heck, houses with an attached garage still have to have a "firewall" between the garage and the home that usually includes a steel door. That's why when you see new homes with unfinshed garages, only the wall against the living area is drywalled and finished.

Short of the "work fumes", even things such as gas cans, lawn mower, cans of penetrant and fluids, and even your own car should never be in the same place as where you sleep.

It's a good thing you don't mind being single. I know ALOT of cool car chicks, but none of them want to LIVE in the garage.

But your creativity is awesome. Buy your self a little fixer-upper and build that baby in the back yard. Then you'd be rocking!

 

[koditten]

This is a wonderful dream for most single guys: In the real world, it is pretty difficult to make happen. First, off the top of my head, I wonder if you can get financing for a building of this type? Second, I believe most codes require an elevation change from garage area to living area. Third, could you sell it if life throws you a major curve ball. I'm guessing there is not a huge buyer base looking for something like this, it would have to be to another gear head that will not have small children. I would worry about kids hurting their selves in the shop.

I will be honest, I do love the concept, and if I was still single and lots of disposible cash, I would have this building as a second home or guest house.

Just something to think about. Probably not what you want to hear, but you asked.

Later
Kirk

 

[rlfort]

Hey Briggs,
Great job on your design. Now go make it happen - and don't let anybody rain on your dress parade! Sometimes guys here in the forum can be a bit too critical of other's dreams and designs, but I think yours is brilliant! Great job using google sketch to walk throught the floorplan BEFORE it's built. Most of us build first from a mind-sketch, then wish afterwards that we'd have done something different. Much easier (and cheaper) moving a couple of lines on the screen now than a couple of rafters and a wall on the real thing when it's nearly too late. BTW, I spent more military years than I care to admit doing exactly what you're doing now. It may just be **** to you, but to me it's still a big sacrifice and a huge deal. So I (and don't kid yourself -- a whole lot of other folks out here) say thanks for your service and Job Well Done! In many ways I wish I could be right back there shoulders up with you.
A couple of ideas... first, throw a hole house exhaust fan downstairs in the wall to help exhaust the place. Ideally, put it on the wall you'll have your welding gear at and then flip it on to **** all the welding fumes out. These are cheap and well worth the invesment. 2nd, give a lot of thought to your lighting. Lots of ideas in this forum to help you with where to put lights. 3rd, put all 110V plugs on a 20A breaker (4 per breaker), not 15A, and place them every 5 feet. Also make sure you have at least one 220V circuit; preferably with a plug on every wall. Finally to keep cost low, use CraigsList as much as you can for building supplies. I'm constantly amaized how much good framing lumber, roofing materials, doors, windows, etc are available really cheap there. It may take a bit longer to scrounge all the materials up that way, but I'll bet you can build the place for half what you mentioned above if you do it that way.
Best of luck to you with your Garage Plans! When you get back to a point where you can build, it should be a terrific place to hang out, swap stories, cuss the Colonel, and hoist a few. Maybe even get a little work done on that 240SX of yours.

 

[Briggs]

Well, what I would do is keep a 1/2 ******* downstairs in the back corner, and run regular stairs over it to upstairs with a door that closes (and seals nice to keep fumes out), and do everything else upstairs. Leave it the 30x40, and still cover 2/3 of it with the 2nd floor, but instead of leaving a balcony, put up a wall so it's completely closed off from the downstairs. Throw in some ventilation for the garage to try and get rid of some of the fumes, and it'll probably work out just fine

That would work, and came across my mind.

I would not want an open plan garage, hell I dont even want my garage attached to my house in the event of fire. My garage is a shop environment with welding and spraying and that smell is not going to be stopped by a traditional wall.

So, it kinda depends on what kind of work you really do on your car, some guys think of oil changes, tire rotating and waxing as "work", I dont think that kind of stuff would be an issue at all. However, if you plan on spraying Epoxy, bead blasting or sanding the mess and smell will be an issue.

I will deff be welding and doing beadblasting. A little bit of fiberglass and maybe some carbon fiber work.

Yea, a fire under my bedroom doesnt sound fun. I have learn how to land from a 20' fall being Airborne but dont feel like giving it a try.

I second the idea of putting a second level on as the live in space. Either as a true second floor, or using trusses with a loft framed into them. This way you can use a couple layers of vapor barrier to separate the garage and living space, and obviously you'll want to have someone who knows more about HVAC plan out some good air ventilation to ensure you're only getting good clean air in your living space.

Clean air is defiantly a good thing. Spent 4 months in Haiti and that **** sucked, air smelled like straight ***.

The idea is cool. If you throw some glass on the top floor between the ceiling and balcony it should help with the fumes. If you build this, let me know if you need a roommate

Thanks for your service. Cool avatar too, i like cereal

Will keep that in mind. The Avatar is from a cartoon called Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends. The little kid looked like me just with brown hair not red. lol. Great cartoon btw, very funny.

There was a special on tv about a racing family that spent most of their time on the road and came back to a sheet metal shop building with living quarters included. I think if you included a balcony open to the garage you could sit and enjoy the garage. Then include a series of sliding glass doors upstairs and down, you would get that living in a garage feel and close out the dirt.

Wish I had a rich racing family. I was raised in a double wide, learned to work for my money...

I do like sliding glass doors.

First off, We are all in debt to you and your brothers for your service.

2nd, that would be one awesome garage. But here in the Midwest, (St. Louis MO) that would never pass code as a primary resisdence. Heck, houses with an attached garage still have to have a "firewall" between the garage and the home that usually includes a steel door. That's why when you see new homes with unfinshed garages, only the wall against the living area is drywalled and finished.

Short of the "work fumes", even things such as gas cans, lawn mower, cans of penetrant and fluids, and even your own car should never be in the same place as where you sleep.

It's a good thing you don't mind being single. I know ALOT of cool car chicks, but none of them want to LIVE in the garage.

But your creativity is awesome. Buy your self a little fixer-upper and build that baby in the back yard. Then you'd be rocking!

It just ***** working out of a garage and I want something that will suit my needs you know??

This is a wonderful dream for most single guys: In the real world, it is pretty difficult to make happen. First, off the top of my head, I wonder if you can get financing for a building of this type? Second, I believe most codes require an elevation change from garage area to living area. Third, could you sell it if life throws you a major curve ball. I'm guessing there is not a huge buyer base looking for something like this, it would have to be to another gear head that will not have small children. I would worry about kids hurting their selves in the shop.

I will be honest, I do love the concept, and if I was still single and lots of disposible cash, I would have this building as a second home or guest house.

Just something to think about. Probably not what you want to hear, but you asked.

Later
Kirk

Yea I know the truth *****...

Hey Briggs,
Great job on your design. Now go make it happen - and don't let anybody rain on your dress parade! Sometimes guys here in the forum can be a bit too critical of other's dreams and designs, but I think yours is brilliant! Great job using google sketch to walk throught the floorplan BEFORE it's built. Most of us build first from a mind-sketch, then wish afterwards that we'd have done something different. Much easier (and cheaper) moving a couple of lines on the screen now than a couple of rafters and a wall on the real thing when it's nearly too late. BTW, I spent more military years than I care to admit doing exactly what you're doing now. It may just be **** to you, but to me it's still a big sacrifice and a huge deal. So I (and don't kid yourself -- a whole lot of other folks out here) say thanks for your service and Job Well Done! In many ways I wish I could be right back there shoulders up with you.
A couple of ideas... first, throw a hole house exhaust fan downstairs in the wall to help exhaust the place. Ideally, put it on the wall you'll have your welding gear at and then flip it on to **** all the welding fumes out. These are cheap and well worth the invesment. 2nd, give a lot of thought to your lighting. Lots of ideas in this forum to help you with where to put lights. 3rd, put all 110V plugs on a 20A breaker (4 per breaker), not 15A, and place them every 5 feet. Also make sure you have at least one 220V circuit; preferably with a plug on every wall. Finally to keep cost low, use CraigsList as much as you can for building supplies. I'm constantly amaized how much good framing lumber, roofing materials, doors, windows, etc are available really cheap there. It may take a bit longer to scrounge all the materials up that way, but I'll bet you can build the place for half what you mentioned above if you do it that way.
Best of luck to you with your Garage Plans! When you get back to a point where you can build, it should be a terrific place to hang out, swap stories, cuss the Colonel, and hoist a few. Maybe even get a little work done on that 240SX of yours.

Thanks for all the kind words guys, means a lot to be on a forum with adults. Thank to you guys that have served I know this **** can **** at times. So a big thanks out to you and the others that said thanks to me. (If that makes any sense)

I still have 3 years left in the army. I plan on getting out and going to NC State, getting my degree and possibly getting back in the Army as a rotary wing pilot or an Officer. I still have plenty of time to decide. Trust me I do plan on finding a (car lovin) woman getting married and starting a family eventually but not for a while.

Im going to start on a new plan tonight and see what I come up with. I draw in layers so its easy to change stuff and see from different views. I learn in autocad to draw in layers... Helps a lot.

Once again thanks guys.

 

[TurnipTruck]

I have lusted over a local house for several decades.
This particular house has a 2-car garage with a 16x7 door on one end, a 2-bedroom apartment with a wraparound deck above that, and motorhome-sized shop (with a 12x14 door) next to it. Access to the apt is outside stairs to the deck. It has non-opening windows between the shop and upstairs.
I think this would have more resale value than your original design, especially for a retired snowbird couple.
I know of two local gearhead families who built their houses above the entire shop, but they were so tall (for lift clearance) that the stairs up were too long, too high, and took too much room. Building (and packing groceries) 9' up is waaaaaay better than 14 or 15'. I've been there and didn't like it.

Another design I've had for years is to build an ordinary-appearing ranch house with a gable entry garage and a whole-house concrete slab, but only build a kitchen and bedroom at the back. Then the next buyer could slap in more rooms to make a 3 bedroom/2 car home.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I posted these carriage house plans some years back: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3539 They're from one of my dad's college textbooks, the copyright in the book was 1923. I think if the entry door were modified so it went right out the front of the building, instead of into the garage area, it could be made to work.

 

[Briggs]

Im going to do some more designing and put a little more thought into safety and how to keep the garage and living quarters completely separate. Im going to get started tonight not sure when I will have the new plans up on here though.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

This reminds me of the TV show Vega$ with Robert Ulrich as Dan Tanna.
Tanna lived on the Las Vegas Strip next to Circus Circus Hotel/Casino, in the theatrical props warehouse owned by the Desert Inn Hotel and Country Club, which he converted into his living place. The design of Tanna's pad (long before the popularity of loft space) allowed him to park his T-bird in his living room.
Ring a bell? Well, at least with us old farts.

 

[premierplayer]

Thanks so much for your service to our country.
In your new design you'll need to make some room for a staircase, a spiral staircase will not meet fire egress requirements for residential or commercial applications. Though it is acceptable as a secondary.
Sorry, another turd in the punch bowl. I do dig the concept, and it looks like you've got plenty of knowledge and skills to pull it off. Good luck!

 

[Bronson]

First, My hat is off to You for Your service to Our country! Thanks You!
I love it! Being an old divorced Biker Ex-hippy Guy, I could live in that in a minute. I might add an outdoor covered carport for the daily driver, and even then, You will wish You had more room. The spiral staircase is ok for a back or extra access, but those things are miserable for repeat use (especially as Ya get, more....mature) Think about adding a lean to addition for welding, grinding, cutting, etc, with its own exhaust system. I have a 30x40 Mueller, and I basically live out there, come in the house to sleep.If I had it to do over, I would have added 10 feet to the long side of it. Good luck!

 

[Zeke]

I was not tempted nor prone to rain on Briggs' dress parade myself. Dreams are the beginning of accomplishment. Somewhere he can build a shop/apt. combo. Not everywhere.

I have a friend who built a beautiful custom home up in Nor Cal. He built the garage first, parked a nice travel trailer right up against the building and for a long time the first bay was his living room as he stepped directly out of the trailer. He was and is still married to the same gal.

Saved him a lot of time. Eventually the garage had its own office and toilet facilities. I never really asked about a shower in the garage. There very well could be one.

Briggs might get some land and do what he wants. Maybe later he can build a house if he decides to for any reason. But if the local authorities give him **** about a mixed use building, he can get a trailer until they are gone. Put the kitchen in later.

AFA living in a garage with the fumes and dust, it's been done many times. I think I'd design the apt portion to focus away from the garage. I didn't see any windows. Gotta have light and ventilation and the source won't be from the garage area. That just won't work out.

No reason that a sitting area can't be in the garage part, though. A lot of people have those and some look like a living room.

 

[Briggs]

Thanks again guys.

Zeke, your NOT bothering me one bit, I have tough skin, you forget Im in the army. I thank you for your honestly and the ideas you have thrown my way. I think what I am going to do is go with a 30x35. The 5' section will be completely separated with full wall and a single door that leads to the stairs. What I have been thinking about doing is maybe raising the 5' section to the right about 3-4'. That way I have a small stair case going to the garage and the big stair case wont be huge. This way I can still have a 12' ceiling in the garage area and not have to climb 12' of stairs every day, just 8-9'. It will make more since when I start the new drawings. The 2nd floor is going to be like a 2 bedroom apartment. Im looking up plans from apartment complexes. This way I will have ideas.

Stay tuned, even if I never do build it, it is still a fun way to pass time while I am here. Trust me when I say I get very bored.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Josh, welcome to GJ and thanks for serving. Please visit this thread and post up too.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64422


On to your garage plans, good job designing it before building it. Contary to some, posting it here was another great idea, as you can get some more ideas, creative criticism and pointers of where not to make mistakes. I think about 95% of us love your basic design with just some tweaking it would be great.

Let me ask this first, any chance of changing duty stations mid build or after it's over ? I'd hate to see it built and then you get shipped off somewhere else.

I have often thought of a design similar to yours. My thoughts were to have a 40x60 with a 20' end sectioned off for living. Over that 20' would be a second story for two bedrooms and a bath. I often thought of a basement under the living section. The basement would give you a place for utilities, a laundry room, and a large family/rec room. Perfect for a pool table, a large entertainment center and a wood burner for the winters. I do realize that there's not many basements in NC or really cold winters like Ohio.

Looking at your design, the living area only looks to be about 12' wide. While comparable to a barracks room, it'd be too small for a future family, even wife and a dog. If you make it 30x35, make sure you give a consideration to add on plan if needed in the future.


Good luck on the planning and keep us updated.

 

[5lima30]

First thanks for your service! Its great that you have a life plan, unlike a lot of guys who are "drifting" through life. I started planning my retirement when I was your age.

 

[SuperSocket]

I would totally separate the living from the work shop. I would rather overhang the second floor more and leave the entire bottom to utilities and workshop activity. You can put windows in the second floor overlooking the shop... .maybe even a small deck.


Walking to your kitchen through the shop or to the bathroom just doesn't work for me.

 

[Kevin54]

I didn't read through all of these replies, but honestly if I was going to build a living quarters and garage together I would modify your plans somewhat. Build your garage with 4 walls and have one exit door to your living quarters. Build it on the other side of the garage wall. It would open into a hallway that would go to your living room, bedroom, kitchen. If you want a mezzanine above, then add a bank of windows so you could look out the mezzanine and overlook the garage.

This way any welding fume, exhaust, etc, would be contained in the garage and not make its way into the living quarters. If you want a spiral staircase, you could have it in the garage and go up the stairs to a door that open to the second floor. At one end of the hallway you could have a second set of stairs that goes to the second floor. At the opposite end of the hallway, closest to the bedroom and living room, add a door that goes to the outside. You are now separated from all fumes, and in case of fire, say in the kitchen you have an easy exit if in the living room or sleeping. And if upstair in the mezzanine and a fire would start downstairs, you have an exit down the spiral staircase.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.websteel.com/

We have some friends that used a websteel type building for house and shop. There building was something like 40 x100 with something like the first 30' was living space and the rest shop. They studded out the living area and insulated heavy between the studs and the outer skin so that a good fart in the morning would heat the place all day. It was a very nice place. If you plan ahead then lengthing this type of building is easy.

In my shop I have a clean area for machining that could very easily be living quarters if necessary. The machine shop and the library combined are 800'+ of floor area.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Squankum]

Yes sir I do, Im in Iraq and dont do ****.

That's just wrong! Shouldn't we be paying a contractor much, much more to not do ****?




Good luck on getting out, through college, and back in as an officer or WO. In my line of work, I've pored over the retirement pay amounts for various types of military retirees, and believe me, you'd rather have one of their retirement checks!

Also, it's one of the few jobs left in America with a pension plan, etc etc.

BTW, I vote for house separate from shop, for fire & fumes purposes. Nietzsche was wrong:That which does not kill you might give you long-term cognitive deficits. Or just make you weird.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Are you planning to do all wood construction? You can get a 30x40xwhatever steel building fairly cheap and just build your walls inside of it, as well as as the upstairs.. probably be more reasonable than wood

 

[Thruxton]

I posted these carriage house plans some years back: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3539 They're from one of my dad's college textbooks, the copyright in the book was 1923. I think if the entry door were modified so it went right out the front of the building, instead of into the garage area, it could be made to work.

Outstanding- just my cuppa tea. Thanks for posting this again.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Hey Briggs!

Thank You for your service!

Capt. Chrysler

 

[bazzateer]

hell I dont even want my garage attached to my house in the event of fire.

Good point, wouldn't want a house fire to spread to the garage!

 

[purpony]

im guessing it would not pass code living in a garage basically. You need a firewall between vehicle and living areas.... What would be cool though (and dont know if it would pass code or not) is to put a full glass wall up to seperate the living and garage space.....
Leave it just as you have it.... maybe make the footprint 5 ft wider.. and put a glass wall up.

 

[Mike in Ohio]

I have been thinking along these same lines myself. I think you want a big enough lot that when the time comes (a mrs briggs and a couple of briggs jrs) you can build a proper house next to this shop, and then use the former living space for clean rooms for assembling engines etc.

I think you may want to isolate the living space from the shop space oders as best you can or there will probably be no mrs. briggs and briggs jrs. in your future. Women can smell things we don't even know exist, and then blame them on us.

 

[TWX]

I like the idea, but I'd modify it a bit. I'd probably not have the living quarters open right up to the workshop. If anything, for height, you might consider not having the entire workspace open up double-height, instead having only half or so, for the lift, do it. Put a glass window from the upstairs to the lift upper area to admire a vehicle that could see storage there if nothing needs the lift for awhile.

Might also not hurt to go in the front door, into a mud room, then either in to the house or else into the workshop.

If you want some space for friends to hang in the workshop, make it L-shaped and have it take out some space from the living quarters- so a sofa and a fridge could go there. Also consider putting in a cabinet with a counter and a sink there, possibly access to a second bathroom that's not part of the house-proper. Keeps your bathroom separate from the shop bathroom.

I do agree with the others to avoid having living space open because of the fumes, debris, grindings, etc that will inevitably end up everywhere. Separate the workspace from the house enough to make it code, and use some creative wall placement to give it the interesting layout that you want.