apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Thanks so much for the input. We're looking to keep this long term and would consider the legalities about a wall. The sliding glass would work on one side but I'm not sure how to handle the spiral staircase side

Beth,
If you don't have a window in the loft area be aware that by adding walls the room can't be defined as a bedroom legally. I am assuming the bedroom loft is currently overlooking a room with a window, per the photo - which is legally allowed. My point is that by adding a wall, you would be 'removing' the bedroom (from a legal/realestate pov) - which might affect real estate value in the future. This is just an investment caution - you might want to consider the walls be temporary in some way to knock out for future resale. I would recommend talking to a real estate agent and a professional appraiser to get a determination on the impact in the market in question.

I think the sliding glass door idea is great -- and not even sure you would really need frosted, since it does not appear that one would be able to get much of a view from below, anyways. You could get creative and have partial frosted/ the other part clear glass.

I don't think the legal issues mentioned by Alex are to be worried about. Legally, an open loft bedroom is not a bedroom, so enclosing it will have little impact. Besides, only a real issue at sale time, and it's very likely new buyer would also like to have separation of living and sleeping space. I find open loft bedrooms, despite their beauty, are ultimately impractical vis-a-vis spouse and guests.

i also live in an open bedroom loft situation. since i'm single, i just leave it open (though, admittedly, hearing my parents snoring in full volume when they come to visit leaves much to be desired)...

my next door neighbors, who have the same layout that i do, live with a baby and have solved the problem by installing shoji screens on tracks. this way, the screens can slide open during the day and slide closed at night for privacy. i'm not sure, though, if this would do anything for sound privacy. and, if you have the funds, pocket doors might be an interesting idea too.

I should clarify that the side from which this pic is taken is about three feet high and that overlooks the main living area.

Are you sure you want to enclose such a small space? I'm wondering about the light and air circulation.

As an alternative why not have the baby sleep upstairs with you? My friends and their baby sleep in a similar looking loft space as the picture shown. They enclosed the top rails with a clear bannister shield, put a baby gate at the top of the stairs, and called it a day. Here is a link that helps illustrate -

http://www.brandsplace.com/0324-ks5.html

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I have two suggestions. One is Pathways wall from Steelcase. It's semi-permanent, but can be removed. I'm pondering it for our study overlooking our living room. It is pricey though. I mean Fortune 500 pricy.

http://www.steelcase.com/na/pathways_privacy_wall_gs_products.aspx?f=16605

The other suggestion is curtain wall. It's the stuff makes up storefronts and building exteriors of glass. It comes various colors and could be powercoated or painted to match the staircase. Plus it is totally custom to the job and installs quickly, which is the reason commercial people love it.

Those are the non-wood suggestions that might look good. Your mileage may vary.

Actually I think John may be on to something. There a several modular office system companies that offer options that are completely residential worthy. DIRT did a presentation for our firm recently, I was really impressed. (I can't find the website right now, but I'll post it later) They offer a wide range of finishes, and installation and removal won't ruin exising walls. I think it could be a viable solution...

I am an architect and based on the loft layout you described, in California, enclosing an upstair bedroom that does not have an exterior window would not be allowed by the building code. All bedrooms must have a window of a certain size (based on the room's area) to provide light, air and a means of escape in the event of a fire. If you have any doubts about this call the SF building department and leave a message- they are very helpful discussing these types of issues and may have a solution to your issue.
(Also, remember many building's CC&R's regulate the number of people who can live in a unit. Personlly, a baby living in a loft is not a problem but your neighbors may have issues with your plan.)

Again, thanks so much for the input. We're sure any permanent type structure would not meet code and would be unwarranted. I found an old article on AT using Ikea sliding closet doors as a partition, divider and that would be very much what we would like to do.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2006-entries/50-vinces-high-tech-hideout-007462

I still don't get how Vince attached the doors to the rods of this one...any ideas??

Something non permanent and more flexible.
We have owned the unit for over five years and are familar w/the CC&Rs (too much so I must say!) and there's no issue with our number of occupants. It's 1200 square feet, so its a good size but is just very "open!" Unfortunately I just cannot sleep with the baby next to me, I've had 4 months of it and she's now upstairs and giving me much needed sleep! I want to keep it up.

Hi, Beth! I live with my husband and 18-month-old son in a condo unit similar to the one you describe -- open area with a nook downstairs, spiral stairs leading to an open "master bedroom" (which has no windows of its own). Our place is 750 square feet.

Rather than fiddle with the upstairs, though, we closed off the lower nook with a sheetrock wall to create a modest bedroom for our son. It's great because it gives him a quiet place to sleep, even when we're listening to music or watching a movie right outside, and we don't have to traverse that crazy staircase with him for every diaper change and nap. It's a surprisingly successful arrangement!

hey beth,
the code issues are for egress. period. if you have a fire you must be able to get out. not sure about the layout but being a parent and wanting to sleep... do you have room for a soss hing system. they are inexpensive and easy to use. i use them when we are in need to close something but still keep a space open when not in use. we also do not have a size restriction; i have used them w/ 8 foot, solid oak doors as well as small door type situations, (atop the 3 foot pony wall). by the way, i am architect/contractor.

the company I was thinking of is DIRTT...www.dirtt.net

good luck

Stewart,
Do you have a picture of what you're describing? I'm not so well versed on these things. Obviously we'd want to be mindful of safety with a baby, that's why something flexible and not permanent would probably work best for us in this situation.
Thanks,
Beth

I second the idea of enclosing the baby's space instead of yours. What are you going to do at naptime?

hey beth,
i do not have a picture of this, i will see if i can get one. you will need a few,(2 or 3 per leaf or door), and, of course, doors. do a googlr search for soss hinges. you can get an idea there. what is the span you are trying to cover, ie wall to wall? if the span is large, perhaps tri-fold or quad fold,(the old bi-fold doors on a closet idea), you might have to put in a ceiling and floor track, and, yes, this can be flush with the floor and the ceiling. let me know if you have any more questions.
stewart

Thanks again everyone for the advise, looks like we're staying put in suburbia..for now..but I'll be referencing these ideas should that change.
As far as naptime goes, I wish there was such a thing w/my child!
Beth