Built in desk unit

[oakfield]

I have been asked to build a desk unit.

Please feel free to offer any advice or criticism as this is my first attempt at something like this so any input is appreciated - even if you think you may be stating the obvious.

I will update with pictures once i get them off my phone and onto my computer!

 

[oakfield]

This is how it looks to start with:

 

[oakfield]

This is how it looks now:

 

[Jake]

It looked better before.

/willful misunderstanding

 

[CNC Paul]

I prefer picture 2, the minimalist look

 

[oakfield]

Both of you have a valid point, but unfortunatly most of the rubbish has to go back somewhere!

 

[oakfield]

She explained the layout that she wanted but I thought it looked wrong so I did a sketch up to show what I meant:

We then moved on to this:

And finally settled on this:

I still don't think it's really ideal - but that's what she wants and the customer is always right...apparently!

 

[chingerspy]

I think the current sketchup design looks fine and after all its what they want.

Just stating the obvious though, make sure there's somewhere for the customers legs to go under the desk There was leg room in the first design but it looks like it might have gone in the other 2.

 

[oakfield]

Well Spotted!

I did point this out to the customer, but as the shelf is only half depth (for keeping box files on), she is only little and will use an office chair, her foot space is inside the 'cupboard' and she's happy with that.

 

[wizer]

Recommend her a good chiropractor when you've finished

 

[chingerspy]

Heh, or at least expect a return visit and another commission when you need to take the shelves out for her feet

But I still like the design myself as a set of shelves/cupboards. How do you think are you going to construct it?

 

[Chris Knight]

As just shelves and cupboards, it's fine (I like a plinth around most things on the floor) - as a desk it stinks.. But then "She" must be obeyed - if she is paying!

 

[oakfield]

Thanks for the comments so far.

As i said earlier - If anyone has any suggestions about the design that I could gentle persuade her with feel free to say.

I'm planning to construct it on a 4x2 base as shown on here in a helpful post by someone (can't remember who - sorry!)

I will be building each unit induvidually using 18mm mdf, fixed with glue, biscuits and probably screws.
It will have a single face frame (unlike the induvidual ones on the sketch up picture) probably made from redwood.
The doors and drawer fronts will probably be redwood, design to be finalised.

 

[jasonB]

Although the client will be able to get her feet into the shelf spaces she may not be able to get close enough to the desk. The base of the chair will hit the skirting so she won't really be able to get under the desk. If she's short in height then I assume her arms are short as well so it may be uncomfortable to work at the desk.

I would suggest mocking up a countertop with something to represent the skirting and see how it feels.

Jason

 

[wizer]

One solution is to have a keyboard drawer with enough room for a mouse. It's not ideal. Hence my comment above. If she's going to be there for any length of time then it will begin to cause her problems in either her back, neck, arms, legs or all of the above. I've had my desk at work 'properly' set up for my height, etc and even then, long hours sitting there caused pain in various areas. Ideally, if she's going to be using this PC for anything over an hour a day, then you should design it like a proper desk.

 

[Matt_S]

As others have suggested I think it needs mocking up to ensure the customer realises what it will be like to work at. Couldn't one side be a desk, the other could then have full shelves and a plinth.