An Economy of Space

We recently completed this project for PWG Architecture (http://pwgarchitecture.com) in San Francisco, a firm dedicated to promoting energy and environmental conservation through sustainable building practices. As part of a ground-floor remodel of a Mission district residence, we were contacted to build a wall of cabinetry that would serve a dual purpose: to provide storage and organization for a bathroom on one side, and serve as office, media and entertainment cabinetry on the other. As an added layer of complexity, the cabinetry needed to be constructed around (or otherwise encompass) two structural posts that are original to the home. It quickly became apparent that an economy of space was the motivating factor behind this type of customized cabinetry. Lucky for us, the principal at PWG, Pamela Goode, had already figured the math and designed the cabinetry layout according to the most efficient use of space.  The cabinetry is constructed of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified solid Cherry, FSC certified Cherry plywoods and FSC certified pre-finished Maple plywood. The protective finish applied to the cabinetry is a water-based urethane.

Above is a view of the 10' tall, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry on the bathroom side. Below the towel bar on the left is a magazine rack. A tankless, wall-mounted toilet will be installed on the wall adjacent to the magazine rack. 

Below is a view of the toilet paper compartment. 

In the photo below, two doors open to reveal a full-height (6 feet tall) medicine cabinet. Directly behind this cabinet is one of the two historic posts (as well as the media cabinetry on the other side), thus requiring such a shallow cabinet.

The detail above shows a stile-and-rail type design that borrows from Shaker style cabinetry and furniture. However, the stiles (vertical members) and rails (horizontal members) are flush with the flat panels (as opposed to panels which are recessed), lending the cabinetry a more modern aesthetic. 

A privacy window above the toilet allows natural light to filter in from the lower-level entry just on the other side of the wall. 

A view of the wall of cabinetry facing the family room. The bathroom door is to the left and the lower level entry is on the right. While the bathroom cabinetry extends from floor to ceiling, the family room cabinetry stops at 8 feet 10 inches in height.

The view above shows that the cabinetry turns a corner and continues to an adjacent wall. 

This short run of cabinetry includes the privacy window of the bathroom, a fold-down desk with open shelving below, and a bank of shallow drawers.

Concealed behind a drawer (removed in this photo) is a power strip and phone/data outlets. 

Desk drawer reinstalled.

A door folds down to rest on the open desk drawer, providing an office work surface. An access hole cut into the desk top, close to the back wall, allows access for turning off the power to the power strip below.

A view of all drawers open. 

Above: The larger drawers on the bottom were sized to accommodate hanging files. If you look closely you can see two aluminum bars along the top edge of the drawer sides that carry the hooks of hanging files.

All of the doors and drawers (except for the three drawers adjacent to the desk) use touch latches as opposed to door or drawer pulls. They open and close by simply pushing on them to either engage or release a magnetic catch or spring mechanism. Eliminating the need for additional hardware allows for a much sleeker appearance.

Originally designed to be a fixed panel, the door below was made operable as an after-thought with the hopes of gaining just a bit more storage. Being able to actually see one of the old posts is just an added bonus. 

Two views of the big picture.