Progress - Attic

December 2013

The Attic was previously totally enclosed, and accessible only through this doorway above the room (to become Ensuite 5) beside Bedroom 5. When opened up by removing the ceiling below, it became clear that it was quite a large space.

It also became clear that working in this space (and removing the ceiling below) was a very messy job. Decades of accumulated dust, cobwebs, pigeon droppings and feathers made a for a less-than-ideal working environment.

So Nico and others donned the filter-masks when working in this area. Not very comfortable, but gives some great photos.

March 2014

The Attic will be reduced in size to about one-quarter of its original size, now being on just one side of the Stairwell and above Bedroom 5. It will be separated by means of a new set of walls as shown below from inside the new Attic room. The wall on the right (near the power cord) separates the Attic from the Stairwell, which now goes completely up to the roof and is topped with a large skylight (partly shown at the top right of the photo). At the front of the Stairwell is a wall with a large triangular window, to let light from the skylight to penetrate into the Kitchenette (and also give an interesting view when walking up the stairs to the 2nd floor). The Attic is separated from the Mezzanine by the wall on the left of this photo. A rhomboidal-shaped door will be placed in the opening on the right.

This new door to the Attic will replace the previous access doorway that was located in a manhole over Ensuite 5, as shown in the photo on the left below. This doorway will be retained, however, for gaining access to another Attic room above EnSuite 5. Another new access doorway has been constructed in the wall at the rear of the Mezzanine just inside the Attic room (at right below). This door will provide access to more low-headroom attic space above Bedrooms 5 and 6.

April 2014

April saw a major step forward with the installation of the VMC ventilation unit in the Attic. The unit is suspended from the roof, allowing for attic storage space underneath, if required.

The VMC inlet and outlet ductwork pipes are attached to the rear of the VMC unit, and then snake their way through the space behind the stairwell, then off to the ceiling grilles in each of the rooms on the three floors.

June 2014

The Attic approached completion in June with the plastering of the walls and the construction and installation of doors. The door to the Mezzanine, at left below, is a custom design made from left-over floorboards to match the Mezzanine floor, and using the doorlock from the original attic door. At the other end of the Attic is another custom door opening giving access to further storage space above Ensuite 5. This opening was the original entrance to the Attic, reached by climbing up though a hole in the ceiling in what will now be Ensuite 5. Much of the VMC ductwork comes through the wall above the new door and then goes downstairs behind the doubled walls in Ensuites 5 and 1.

The angular shape of the new Attic door fits in well with the many angles in the Loft and Mezzanine.