I'm starting to outgrow my bathroom darkroom a bit and started to put together cost estimate for a darkroom shed and was curious what other people's experiences are that have done something similar? I've read a few articles and postings, but all of them seem to be in areas where it doesn't get super hot.
It gets hot enough where I live where I would definitely need air conditioning which seems to be the biggest complication I'm running into, since I'll need an AC unit itself, probable radiant barriers and perhaps even insulation. I'll also probably need a fridge to keep the chemicals cool enough when I'm not actively in the darkroom. Likewise I thought about not leaving any of my enlarger lenses mounted to avoid any fungus.
Above is my mock up using a 10x10 shed. I modelled it in FreeCAD. If anyone wants a copy just let me know and I'd be happy to provide it. It's just a block diagram mostly.
Enlargers (Omega D2 and I may have enough space to use my Besseler 67 as well) will be on the left will be my dry space. Back wall is the start of my wet space and will be for dev trays. The right side can be used then for paper or film washing being right next to the sink. Next to the sink would be the fridge followed by my breadrack that I'm currently using in my bathroom tub to store odds and ends.
I was thinking the shelves would be 3 feet up there about since I like to stand in my darkroom and that leaves space along the bottom for storage.
What is missing is where I may put the AC and a suitable vent by the wet area, along with where I may put the lights (will probably due red LED strip lights for a safelight and was thinking tube style fluorescent or LED lights for working lights). Oh and also water and power connections.
Water, I was thinking, might be easy as there is a hose connection close enough I can just run a hose from the house to a hookup on the shed (maybe with a filter). That's just for wash water. I mix all my chemicals with distilled. Electrical would be easy to solve were it not for the heat - could have powered the whole thing with a solar panel and a battery even, but the fridge and AC unit will need way more than that. As such, I'll likely need to run power, I'm hoping I can do so with underground conduit perhaps.
Pretty big project, all told, compared to my bathroom which I build using extremely modest costs (I use a shelf above the toilet for my enlarger :P). It works but there is no concept of wet vs dry areas and given it has no AC itself, it can get pretty muggy and warm during a darkroom session in the summer unless I decide to freeze the rest of the house out.
Thoughts, concerns?
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