After a frantic search to find a new place to WWOOF at the end of my time in Huntly, I originally went to Mischa for a few days to help boost the firewood supply but talking through some of my plans and my hosts' vision for the place we decided to undertake a renovation project of an old shipping container. One of those jobs that had been on the list but never a priority.
The container was already in place with a fantastic view out over the valley looking up at Mount Alexander in the distance but sitting idle as storage space. Fortunately it was already partially lined and insulated having had a previous life as a workshop space by another owner. This gave us the basics to start with but the design called for cutting out a panel of the long side and removing the roller door on the end. Our first few days were getting stuck in to remove and tidy up these areas and it was quite exciting to be in the creative zone bouncing ideas off one another. I loved this kind of collaborative approach and Mischa certainly proved not only a generous host but also a great teacher as I used a range of hand and power tools, ripping off linings, grinding out the door area etc.
With the door space cut wider the job of fitting a glass sliding door should have been simple but we were using a recycled door which unfortunately the frame had been badly twisted, crushed would be another description of it!, so we cut and salvaged as much of it as we could and with a bit of straightening and fiddling about we were able to attach the running channels for the doors and remarkably the glass doors slide along the tracks quite well. With the purchase of a new door lock it was a proud moment being able to "lock" a door that we first thought would end up on a garbage tip instead!
The next step involved lifting out the old roller door so that we could make this end area into the future kitchen space with a panoramic window from sink to ceiling. Again using materials from around the property a large angled piece of steel bolted on quite easily. Mischa is quite a fan of using steel to build with and it is quite an easy material when you have the right tools to drill and weld etc. With the cross beam in place, primed and painted we refitted underneath with the "scrap" taken from the door area. Above this came the huge sheet of double plated glass which had been salvaged a few years ago from an office building reno and fit into the container space without any further cutting required. The job of fitting the glass was a real adventure using industrial silicone as a glue. With two of us lifting the glass using the ute as a work space and manouvering the heavy glass into place was not without a few grunt, groans and curses. There was a tense moment as the silicon failed to stick and catching the glass as it leaned precariously back out certainly tested the reflects so we eventually fashioned some wedges down the edges and we looked proudly out through the new window at the fantastic view.
Luckily we had the majority of the container water tight before the rain really set in causing a few delays. Inside the container we switched attention wiring up 12v wires for lights, some switches etc for plans on fitting a solar panel to recharge a battery with, but that will be a future project. The aim being that along with it's own water tank the container can be self functioning from the house and WWOOFers and others can learn the important skill of monitoring their own power and water usage! We got on with the task of re-installing the lining, adding new noggins and insulation, particularly around the new kitchen end and started stripping back an old kitchen sink so that it could also be installed under the window.
We came across some industrial floor vinyl with a great pine wood flooring pattern that was being thrown into a skip. This gave us a very neat finish to the floor at no cost.
With a few coats of undercoat on ceiling and walls as the rain came down outside we soon found a few leaks in the old container and plugged them, temporarily sealing off the back window area so that we could get the beds built. We re-installed the bracing of an old shelving unit at the far end and rigged it up to the size of a single bunk bed so that if needed the container could sleep 3 or this bed area could be storage for backpacks etc. Designing, building and installing the queen bed base under this was a task that Mischa left completely in my hands and it felt great to complete this using a range of tools and of course largely recycling materials from around the storage piles on the property for it.
Then came the top coat of paint to soften the stark white undercoat look into something more homely. We wanted to reflect some of the colours of the local landscape in a neutral honey-ish tone and over the next few days I have to say I surprised myself how much I enjoy the task of painting! There is a sense of accomplishment with each coat cutting in around corners and seeing the space transform into a more livable area.
With the walls done and the kitchen unit sitting roughly in place, pipes cut through the wall etc, it was time to get the stove fitted. We changed our minds from the first stove we put in and settled on relocating the old wood fired stove from the original shack that Mischa lived in on the property. Cleaning off years of dirt and rust we hoisted it onto the ute and drove up the hill through the scrub to use a bit more aussie ingenuity to slide it back off the ute and through the door, constantly fearful of smacking into the glass or scratching the vinyl floor! We laid old paving tiles (recycled from a previous find!) as a hearth across the space we had chosen for the stove leaving space under the bench area to access the wiring and wood storage. Beside the sink unit we utilised a grand old slab of timber, sanded back and ready to be polished up. Continuing the natural timber theme above the sliding door called for another natural plank to tie in the look.
Finishing touches were added by fitting beading around the walls and architrave around the door, sanding and final touches of paint.
Energy expended it was time to wind up the project and I finished up my contribution for Mischa to put in the row of tiling, soft furnishings etc when more time and money comes along. For me this was a great project to be apart of the conception phase, the raw demolition, scavenging of materials, fitouts and the finishing fiddly bits. We found between the two of us working together that I was great at the finer detail work which balanced nicely with Mischa's passion for the bigger stuff! I enjoyed the painting, carpentry and the range of tools being given free range in Mischa's prized workshop, from grinders to drill pressers, drop saws and hammer and chisels. Each day the pieces of the puzzle came together and I hope to be invited back when it comes to transforming the outside as well!!
The view from the containers location is fantastic and the changing weather and colours in the landscape and even more rewarding is the knowledge of helping to get this project up and going in such a wonderful spot and being able to put all these skills to work. I am indebted to my hosts for the chance to "play" with this and fortunately the hard work balanced out the fantastic food Mischa created daily.....but that's another post!
Click on the video on the home page to see some of the progress shots of this project.
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