Good Studio layout presents a rational flow from raw materials into freshly formed ware, to adequate drying space, sufficient glazing and firing facilities, and provides for the associated services of the business.
A studio or workshop, whether in an educational institution or for private use, needs to be planned with factors including the following taken into account:1.Clear lines or avenues of access and egress (exit) and access to emergency services (fire extinguisher, shower, eye-wash, first aid cabinet, etc). 2.provision and location of emergency facilities as necessary. 3. Choice of surfaces and finishes-floor covering, bench tops, walls etc. Keeping in mind the need for easy cleaning of work areas to reduce hazards, (eg. Hose or wet mop the floor in some types of studios where dust is a problem). 4. Provision of adequate and suitable safe storage (eg. Chemical storage, clay, paper, canvasses, tools, electrical equipment etc.) 5. Safe disposal of wastes, including chemical waste. 6. Natural and artificial lighting and the control of glare and shadows. 7.Noise minimization.
8.Thermal comfort. 9. Ergonomic requirements (height of work benches, type of seating etc.) 10. Ventilation requirements (general, dilution and local exhaust). 11.Separation of wet and dry, clean and dirty, noisy and quiet activities in the workplace.
A handy aid to repeatable production throwing is to keep a throwing book. This is a handy reference to the shapes, sizes, clay quantities used, and so on for all the pots you make.
A firing book is also a necessity in order to replicate a successful firing.
Have a blackboard and notice board in your studio. You can put notes to yourself and draw pots, designs, and so on, on the blackboard, and pin photos, competition entry forms, and invitations up on the notice boards. A blackboard is handy to plan your production and especially useful if athere are two of you working in the one workshop.
Clay Storage
Ageing of clays improves its plasticity and you will need an area to store at least one month's supply of clay so that you can allow your clay stocks to age effectively. This area is ideally placed between the clay preparation area and the production area. The clay store is best if it is dark and damp as this encourages the development of the necessary souring bacteria. The clay must be kept from drying out.
Raw Materials receiving and storage:
The quantities you use will determine the size of this area. The location should be such that a truck can gain easy access and the minimum of handling of heavy objects is required. As a general rule 1 tonne of plestic clay takes up a space 1 metre x 1 metre x 1 metre (1 yard x 1 yard x 1 yard), whilst 1 tonne of powdered clay takes up a space of 1.5 metres x 1.5 metres x 2.0 metres approximately. You will need to be able to gain access to all your materials- it is no use having the feldspar packed under a tonne of clay. Get some form of trolley to move your materials around to save your back from strain. The storage area and the clay mixing area need not be fully walled in, in fact, it is better is it is well ventilated to disperse any dusts, but it must be rainproof.
The Kiln Area
Locate the kiln as close as possible to the workshop. Have plenty of space to store kiln furniture and door bricks, and room to put pots when packing and unloading the kiln. Ventilation is of major importance in the kiln area, and an outside kiln is a good idea. The area should be free of rubbish. Fuel tanks, burners, flues and dampers should be readily accessible.
Plastic garbage bins can serve innumerable purposes in the workshop for clay storage, straight from the pug; for scrap reclaiming; and even garbage. Platforms of 2.5 cm board, with four small castors, can be used to make the bins easily transportable.
Workshops The layout and design of your work area will depend on many factors and no two potters will come up with the same solution. The first consideration will be the amount of space available, how many people are going to work there, and whether the space already exists or is to be built from scratch. If you are using an existing building, some of the design decisions have already been made for you, but the following Article should be of some help: Studio/Workshop design - Layout
Cleaning the workshop
Adopt wet working and cleaning methods to avoid the creation of airborne dust. All surfaces tools and boards should be washed immediately after use.
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Guru Spotlight |
Lynne Christen |