Question

Mohammed completed a self-paced carpentry skills program in record time and then went to work for a company that makes the custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets. He has been there long enough to know that kitchens and bathrooms will not be his life work. Instead, he will be opening his own business. “The Big Picture” will be a picture framing service that will sell framed posters and prints. As well, it will provide framing for the customer’s own pictures and re-finish old frames.

Mohammed has found a vacant store in a medium-sized suburban mall in a slightly upscale neighborhood. The store, as it currently stands, is a 25' x 40' rectangle with one end opening into the mall and a small door at the back that opens to the outside delivery area. The only fixture is a sink in one back corner.

Mohammed is negotiating with the mall owner who is willing to share the costs of the “leasehold improvements” that will be required to make the store suitable for The Big Picture. Already, Mohammed recognizes that the store will have to be divided into two distinct areas: a front sales area and a backroom work area. But the details are still to be worked out.

The sales and display area where customers can browse work ready for sale will have to contain a sales desk for the cash register and another work desk to show completed work to customers and inspect the work they bring in for repair or refinishing. There will also have to be an area to display the various choices in frames and mattes.

The work area will have to include a large 5' x 8' work table with various clamps. Space will be needed for a sanding machine as well as a bench with a vice for hand sanding. There will be a painted table and an area to hang drying frame parts that will need to be as far away from the sanding area as possible. An area around the sink will be needed for mixing stains and for clean-up. There will also have to be storage areas for pre-manufactured frames, for various wood moldings and for various sizes of wood stock. A storage area for paints and various finishes will also be required as well as a storage area for hand tools.

1. Sketch a detailed layout for The Big Picture and explain your choices for placing things.

Answer 1

The front sales area has a cash register area which is close to the door to work area. There is a display area opposite to the front door so customers can see frame options. There is a display area adjacent to the door for people walking past the shop to see the frames.

The work area has a sink in upper corner which will be attached to a long table. There is area for mixing and cleaning. Then the paint table is near the sink as it will be easier to mix paints and clean. The 8'*5' bench is provided with area near it to store hand tools. There is extra space again provided for storing tools. The other storage areas are closeby with everything closer to their respective workstations. The area for sanding machine and table for vice and handsanding are placed far from painting and drying area.

The shaded portion shows benches.