Finally!  It’s (structurally) done!

This is most likely something you have never seen before, but…  We recently had our 4th child, a little girl named Anna.  So I need to clear my office out of the one bedroom that will soon be hers (yes, a bit late).  Needing somewhere to setup, I decided on the living room.  I really like being around the family in the evening/weekend when I am working on various projects.

So my boys and I undertook making an office in the corner of the living room.  Not a “normal” office, but a “floating” office.  In this way, we achieve several benefits:

• The kids will play under the platform.
• They love it
• I will work on top of it.
• I get a good perspective of the house.
• Gained square footage
• A “cool” factor for the kids.
• The living room still feels “open”

The structure

This platform was made by creating a doubled 2″x6″ box about 6’x6′.  It was built one board at a time, each glued and screwed together.  It is attached directly to the studs with (16) 3/8 x 4 hex lag screws, and (12) tapcons into the fireplace.

The single floor support consists of an 80 pound steel beam (3×5″ tube), wrapped in an anti-fatigue mat (head bang protection).  This was chosen for its low profile and stiffness, providing the kids with more headroom.

The flooring is made of jointed 2×10 boards, all glued and screwed down.

The platform was encased in additional 2×10 boards, creating a rim both for apperance and to prevent things from rolling off the platform.

The single leg is a length of galvanized steel pipe threaded into a custom-made maple leg.

Hardwood laminate (pergo) was laid down on top of the 2×10 flooring.

The desk top is a custom mounted “Bullet Table” provided by Ellis Office Supply.

The Photos

From across living room, seated.

From the middle of the room, standing.

Underneath

Conclusion

Perhaps a bit strange?  Sure. Functional?  Completely. Fun?  Totally...

Now, what kind of computer deserves to be placed on that nice platform?  I’d love to hear comments on this one.