Above 1200 Sq/FT The Lab [Latvia]
- Thread starter the lab
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
yhprum
Well-known member
I just discovered this thread, very nice! That place must have some interesting history, are you aware of any? Subscribed too.
New week, more progress on the garage! 
We’re putting in new walls, and even though I was seriously tempted to go big with some huge windows facing the forest, I decided to keep it classic with the original size windows. Gotta stay true to the building’s roots! Stay tuned for more updates as we transform this space. 
We’re putting in new walls, and even though I was seriously tempted to go big with some huge windows facing the forest, I decided to keep it classic with the original size windows. Gotta stay true to the building’s roots! Stay tuned for more updates as we transform this space. The large glass wall would have been pretty awesome, but likely not practical. I think you made the right choice.
runit
Well-known member
Love this! Please remember to keep us updated!
also I now know all that Wiki has to say about Latvia.
also I now know all that Wiki has to say about Latvia.
littlebean
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that's quite some space!
There was this old birch tree right in front of the lab, leaning towards to the building. Every time I looked at it, I got this uneasy feeling, like it was just waiting for the perfect moment to crash down. So, I decided to do the responsible thing and asked the municipality for permission to cut the tree down. After all, better safe than sorry, right? Well, turns out, they didn’t see it that way. My request was flat-out rejected.
Four days later, a sudden summer storm hit the town, and the birch tree crashed right onto the lab's roof. I wasn’t in town, so I called my brother to check it out and send me some photos. When the first pictures came through, it was hard to tell how bad the damage was. The tree sprawled across the roof, and it looked like a real mess. Moments later, he called back and confirmed that, thankfully, the structure was still intact. No major damage had been done, just a lot of cleanup ahead. Huge relief
From the positive side, now I get more light in the building. The tree that I wanted gone is no longer there, and I didn't have to pay a tree surgeon to remove it. The storm did the job for free! While the cleanup is a hassle, it’s a small price to pay for the brighter, safer lab space I now have. Sometimes, nature has a way of solving problems in unexpected ways.
Four days later, a sudden summer storm hit the town, and the birch tree crashed right onto the lab's roof. I wasn’t in town, so I called my brother to check it out and send me some photos. When the first pictures came through, it was hard to tell how bad the damage was. The tree sprawled across the roof, and it looked like a real mess. Moments later, he called back and confirmed that, thankfully, the structure was still intact. No major damage had been done, just a lot of cleanup ahead. Huge relief
From the positive side, now I get more light in the building. The tree that I wanted gone is no longer there, and I didn't have to pay a tree surgeon to remove it. The storm did the job for free! While the cleanup is a hassle, it’s a small price to pay for the brighter, safer lab space I now have. Sometimes, nature has a way of solving problems in unexpected ways.
Rsharp66
Well-known member
Really cool building, this should be a good build
My wife and I were in Latvia last year and loved it.
Spent a few days in Riga old town, then went south to Bauska for the Zobens un Lemess metal festival.
We really want to get back and would spend even more time there.
REALLY good beer and food, cool automotive museums too.
Old town just rocks for so many reasons
My wife and I were in Latvia last year and loved it.
Spent a few days in Riga old town, then went south to Bauska for the Zobens un Lemess metal festival.
We really want to get back and would spend even more time there.
REALLY good beer and food, cool automotive museums too.
Old town just rocks for so many reasons
Thanks! I'm pumped about this build too. Riga's Old Town is seriously cool, and the beer and food? Top-notch. Zobens un Lemesis metal festival sound epic! Next time you're back, you gotta explore more of the countryside—it's stunning. So glad you had an awesome time here!
MrPink
Well-known member
Welcome from the mitten looking state across the pond from you. This building looks like it's got a ton of history, I am in for pictures of the RS4 also.
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Quite the project! Following along..
littlebean
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another tree about to fall????
littlebean
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lucky there wasn't to much damage - I assume you've resisted (so far) the temptation to go back to the municipality and say 'see, I told you so!'
madison069
Well-known member
I'm glad I found this thread! I dig old places and wish I had the resources to take on an old building like this out of the city.
As nice the pit is, I agree that it's a good thing to fill in. I got one that I don't use but unfortunately, it's not just a pit but an entrance to under part of my garage that I don't use either. I just keep it open for the ability to inspect under the wooden floor of the garage.
I was wondering why the city rejected your request to cut the tree down? Here in our municipality, we can't regulate which trees can come down and which can't, just too much liability. In your case since the tree came down after you expressed your concerns about it falling and was rejected on cutting it down in a control manner, you could now sue the municipality for the damage and cost of cleaning up the mess. What our municipality can do though is require you to put a new tree in the old tree's place or at least plant a tree somewhere to make up for the missing tree if your property is a commercial property. This is part of the stormwater ordinance, and trees are considered part of the stormwater system due to their ability to absorb the water in the ground.
Either way, can't wait to see the progress on the building!
As nice the pit is, I agree that it's a good thing to fill in. I got one that I don't use but unfortunately, it's not just a pit but an entrance to under part of my garage that I don't use either. I just keep it open for the ability to inspect under the wooden floor of the garage.
I was wondering why the city rejected your request to cut the tree down? Here in our municipality, we can't regulate which trees can come down and which can't, just too much liability. In your case since the tree came down after you expressed your concerns about it falling and was rejected on cutting it down in a control manner, you could now sue the municipality for the damage and cost of cleaning up the mess. What our municipality can do though is require you to put a new tree in the old tree's place or at least plant a tree somewhere to make up for the missing tree if your property is a commercial property. This is part of the stormwater ordinance, and trees are considered part of the stormwater system due to their ability to absorb the water in the ground.
Either way, can't wait to see the progress on the building!
MrPink
Well-known member
And it's a B5RS4 that's awesome! My attainable bucket list car is a B5S4 sedan.Here are a few shots I captured on film last month
Old places have such a unique vibe, and taking on a building like this is definitely a passion project. The pit was cool, but filling it in just made sense for what I’m doing. Your setup sounds pretty interesting too.
As for the tree, the city shot down my request because of strict rules on cutting down big trees within town limits. Super frustrating, especially since I warned them it might fall—and then it did. Plus, the garage is in a national park area, which adds another layer of red tape.
Appreciate the encouragement! I’ll keep posted on the progress.
meathooker
Well-known member
such a cool building. Do you have more info on the house?
thats Interesting it’s in a national park. How much land were you able to purchase? how big is the national park?
thats Interesting it’s in a national park. How much land were you able to purchase? how big is the national park?
mercedeslimos
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Is this in Cesis? It's a lovely town, I've been a few times. I have friends living in Gulbene
jskicet
Well-known member
What was that concrete structure outside in the earlier pict
What was that concrete structure up against the trees used for?Some landscaping have been done around the garage, and the transformation is really starting to take shape! With the area cleared and spruced up, we now have so much more light, making everything look even better.
I’m still piecing it together, but the place used to be garages, a workshop, and a lab for Red Cross. It’s been abandoned for the last 20 years. Managed to snag about 1600m² of land — not a ton, but enough to work with given the size of the building.
Here is a video about the National Park:
Started tearing out the old floors and leveling the height across different spaces to get a seamless, threshold-free surface. It’s a big job, and it’s gonna get way messier before it starts looking good again. But hey, that’s all part of the process, right? Making progress one step at a time.
littlebean
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crikey!
madison069
Well-known member
That's a lot of work and material right there in the floor!!
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Cool rehab you have undertook wish you luck with the undertaking. Did you go and have a few words with the city after the Tree fell on your place?
Dividing Creek
Well-known member
the mini ex inside makes the ceiling look very low. What are you working with 8 ft /243cm ?
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rattle_snake
Well-known member
Dang not messing around with floor. Going to look nice.