Above 1200 Sq/FT The Lab [Latvia]

[the lab]

Not a huge update this time around, but I did run another roll of film through the tank.

On the build side, things are moving along week by week. Nothing too dramatic to show, but it’s getting there. I’ll try to share more photos soon once there’s a bit more progress to capture.

The timing feels right, too. My hope is to have everything wrapped up before fall really sets in with the rains and strong winds. Once the metal is on, I’ll feel a lot more confident heading into the colder months knowing the structure is solid and protected.

 

[Jayman17]

I'm still following along as well, great to see some updates. Really love what you are doing with this old building! I'm sure you will breathe a sigh of relief once that roof is on and secure.

 

[Poe34]

If you aren't already a member, there is a website called IH8Mud that is exclusively Land Cruisers. I love you 60, I have a 40, and I know the guys over there would love to see pics of the rig, as well as a link here to enjoy what you are creating! Nice work and looking forward to seeing it completed!

 

[the lab]

A little progress update on the Lab build.

Finally got to the stage where the roof is being covered with metal sheeting. The frame went up earlier in the summer, but it dragged out a bit longer than expected. The weather this summer has been miserable, which didn’t exactly help things move along.

That said, it’s really starting to come together now. Seeing the metal go on makes a huge difference and feels like the whole place is finally taking shape. Once it’s fully sealed up, I’ll feel a lot better with fall setting in.

 

[the lab]

If you aren't already a member, there is a website called IH8Mud that is exclusively Land Cruisers. I love you 60, I have a 40, and I know the guys over there would love to see pics of the rig, as well as a link here to enjoy what you are creating! Nice work and looking forward to seeing it completed!

Here’s the link to my Land Cruiser restoration project from back in the day. I haven’t posted much though since finishing the build some years ago.

This summer, I took the Cruiser on a trip through Norway — over 6,000 kilometers in two weeks.

Along the way I snapped a bunch of photos, so here are some photos of the rig from the trip.

 

[littlebean]

roof looks great and road trip looks epic

 

[the lab]

Quick update on the Lab project — the roof is officially finished! Took a bit longer than I first thought, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. Big step forward and it already feels like the whole place is coming together.

Next up are some rain gutters to get installed, which should help direct the water properly and keep moisture out of the building. Once that’s sorted, the structure will be much better protected.

Let’s see what else I can manage to knock out before winter sets in. Always more to do, but getting the roof finished feels like a huge milestone.

 

[jeffcoll]

That really looks great!

 

[jon72vega]

That roof looks good!

 

[bulletpruf]

Roof does look nice. What are you going to work on now?

 

[zanyad]

Congrats on the milestone!

 

[littlebean]

that roof looks brilliant - congrats

 

[LOW1]

I love your black and white photos and I want your “Private Territory” sign.

 

[bgt]

Wonderful thread with lots of excellent photos. Roof is looking great! Very neat. Are the joins crimped? I also didn't realize how tall the garage spaces were before I saw the photo with the LC parked in front of it. New second story changed the character of the building a bit, for the better!

Looks like a great road trip adventure! I recognize the photo from E134 over Haukelifjell, I drive that road a few times a year.

 

[Steve V.]

You're breathing new life in to that structure. Nice work!

 

[Jayman17]

Congrats on getting the roof all done. It looks fantastic!

 

[413dan]

this thread is great, very glad I saw it on the main page and came along for the ride. I'll keep checking back for updates, keep up the great work. stay safe, be well.

 

[jollygreengiant]

I've been reading through this thread off and on for a couple weeks now, and it's been fantastic. Very well done so far, and good on you for saving that building.

 

[roger440]

Excelllent work. Looking really smart

 

[the lab]

After finishing the roof and finally getting the scaffolding down, I figured I still had a bit of time left this year before winter hits. So I decided to tackle one more important job - exposing the foundation and protecting it from ground moisture.

We started with the back side of the building. The good news is that the foundation turned out to be in a solid condition. Not bad for something that’s been doing its job for nearly a century. The soil back there was also better than expected and it drains water quickly, even during heavy rain, so we didn’t see any reason to dig underneath the foundation and risk disturbing it.

To examine everything properly we gave the foundation a thorough wash and cleared out all the roots growing around it. Now it’s clean, visible, and ready for the next steps in protection.

 

[the lab]

After getting the back side of the foundation cleaned and inspected, the next step was to start protecting it more thoroughly. We began by patching all the visible holes with lime mortar. Using lime mortar is important for an old building like this because it’s strong, durable, and still allows the foundation to breathe, unlike modern cement which can trap moisture and cause a damage.

Once the holes were patched we went over the entire foundation surface with plaster. This served a dual purpose - first, to strengthen areas that needed it and second, to create a smooth, even surface for the next step - installing a dimpled waterproofing membrane. The membrane will protect the building from ground moisture while still letting the foundation to breathe, which is crucial for preserving the structure over time.

Looking ahead, the plan is to install a system of underground pipes. One set will carry rainwater from the roof gutters away from the building, and the other drainage pipe will channel soil moisture and any water that accumulates around the foundation out to the creek behind the building. This combination of membrane and drainage should provide solid protection against moisture for years to come.

The pipes part of the work will have to wait for now, because I also want to address the front side of the building before completing the pipe installation. Once the front side is done, everything will be tied together and the foundation will be fully protected.

It’s amazing to think this structure has been standing for nearly a century and with a bit of care it should last just as long into the future. More updates to come as the work continues!

 

[the lab]

I love your black and white photos and I want your “Private Territory” sign.

Thanks, man! I usually shoot on Kodak Portra 400 - love the colors and the vibe it gives, but every now and then I like to mix it up with some Ilford HP5 or Delta film for that classic black and white feel. No matter what I’m shooting on, it’s always real film, none of that digital stuff. Keeping it old school.

And yeah, the “Private Territory” sign.. that one’s definitely a keeper. It’s kind of grown on me over the time, feels like part of the whole scene now. Glad it caught your eye

 

[the lab]

Wonderful thread with lots of excellent photos. Roof is looking great! Very neat. Are the joins crimped? I also didn't realize how tall the garage spaces were before I saw the photo with the LC parked in front of it. New second story changed the character of the building a bit, for the better!

Looks like a great road trip adventure! I recognize the photo from E134 over Haukelifjell, I drive that road a few times a year.

Thanks! I love documenting the process, so I’m glad you’re enjoying the photos. The roof is solid and should last for a long time. The garages are a decent height. I don’t think I’ll go for a full-size car lift, but I’m thinking maybe a removable scissor type lift or something similar.

From the start, the second floor seemed a bit too high for me, but over time I got used to it. Now, when I look back at the original photos, I actually like the new shape and proportions of the building better - it just feels right.

Norway is amazing, and I go there whenever I get the chance. There’s nothing like disappearing into the wild for a bit of adventure.

 

[the lab]

I've been reading through this thread off and on for a couple weeks now, and it's been fantastic. Very well done so far, and good on you for saving that building.

Thanks! I think it’s going to be quite a few years before it’s fully finished. I’m always trying to update the thread more often, but somehow never quite manage it. Too many other things on my plate. I did have the option to build a new garage, but I just love old stuff. Even though new can sometimes be easier and more convenient, I always prefer working with something that already has history.

 

[Johanfpa]

Great to see your eye for detail and the fact you don't neglect the parts that are under the ground. Doing what you did to the foundation walls will protect this building for centuries to come.

 

[patlun]

I have read the whole thread in a couple of evenings and my first thought after that was Wow! Or maybe it was more the Swedish "Jösses!"

Your splendid pictures and processing of the pictures gives me hints of the details you have and will put in place in this project. The picture above gives me ideas of the history of the place at the same time that it hints about the future finished project.

 

[Mr onetwo]

Amazing how you have brought a foundation to life...a foundation fer chrissakes.

 

[the lab]

Developed some film rolls from last fall and instantly remembered those crazy rainy days. Foundation wide open, dirt piles everywhere, racing against time to get the foundation fixed, drainage in, membrane installed, sewage and water lines laid before winter hit.

Back then it felt like a never ending story. Mud, rain, stress. But we made it. Another milestone achieved just before the snow.

You don’t really see this work since it’s all underground, but knowing it’s done properly gives me real peace of mind. Solid foundation and protected from water.

 

[the lab]

I have read the whole thread in a couple of evenings and my first thought after that was Wow! Or maybe it was more the Swedish "Jösses!"

Your splendid pictures and processing of the pictures gives me hints of the details you have and will put in place in this project. The picture above gives me ideas of the history of the place at the same time that it hints about the future finished project.

I’m glad you took the time to read through the whole thread.

The photos are a big part of how I try to capture both where this place comes from and where it’s heading. If the image managed to hint at the history while also pointing toward the future, then it did its job perfectly.

Really appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

 

[the lab]

Amazing how you have brought a foundation to life...a foundation fer chrissakes.

Haha, thanks!
When you spend enough time knee-deep in mud and concrete, even a foundation starts to feel like a character in the story. Not the most glamorous part of the build, but probably the most important one. Glad it came across!

 

[RoninB4]

Not the most glamorous part of the build, but probably the most important one.

-If the foundation isn't solid then all the work above it is pointless. Nice work and am enjoying seeing the progress as the building gets a second life.

 

[yhprum]

Great work!

 

[the lab]

Not sure I’ve ever mentioned this, but there’s a decent-sized basement under the house.

Most of the foundation work was pretty straightforward… until it really wasn’t.. Had to dig deep to get the isolation membrane around the basement foundation. Add nonstop rain, mud everywhere, not exactly ideal conditions.

It’s all done now though, and that’s a massive relief. Sleeping well knowing everything’s been done properly. Solid, dry, and future-proof.

 

[Mr onetwo]

more great photos

 

[zanyad]

Amazing.

 

[the lab]

I’ve ripped out a few doors and sections of walls as part of a renovation, but I’m not at the stage yet where I can install the new ones. With winter approaching, leaving that side of the house fully open really wasn’t an option.

In the end, I decided to close it off with plywood for now. It’s obviously a temporary solution and not pretty, but it should at least keep snow, wind, and moisture out until I’m ready to continue the build in the spring.

Sometimes progress means doing what’s necessary rather than what’s final. At least the house is sealed enough to get through winter.

 

[jbwest72]

Amasing photograpy, it is a difference Whith analog photography. I Was in The newspaper Web operations when The turnover from film to digital photo and I did not like it. To me black and white pictures are among the best. I appreciate Your ambition to continue White analogue pictures.

 

[Jayman17]

Wow that's a big job, well done!

 

[Cris B]

Fantastic to check back in on this project and see the progress. Looks like you have been somewhat lucky with the weather so far - heavier snow could have really slowed your progress. Great to see the roof and footings done, you are in a great position to crack on with the inside when the time comes to focus on that.

 

[the lab]

Amasing photograpy, it is a difference Whith analog photography. I Was in The newspaper Web operations when The turnover from film to digital photo and I did not like it. To me black and white pictures are among the best. I appreciate Your ambition to continue White analogue pictures.

Thanks a lot! I mostly shoot on Kodak color film, especially Portra 400, but I do enjoy black and white as well from time to time, usually HP5 or Delta. There’s just something about film that digital can’t really replace, whether it’s color or b&w.