Culberston Remodel

As we understand it, this commercial space in Marfa was originally a garage for the Hord Motor Company. Constructed sometime in the 1920’s, the original owner planned to build a multi-story building and installed massive steel I-beams to carry the upper floors. After the Great Depression, construction halted and only the first floor was completed.

The current owners purchased the building with boarded up windows and a considerable water problem caused by improper drainage from the adjacent alleyway. We began by patching various areas of sloped concrete in the existing slab and board-forming and pouring the 20’ x 8’ concrete entry stoop. In order to make the space a functioning live/work space for visiting artists, we updated the electrical and plumbing, added a kitchen, a bath and a laundry room.

The clients were especially fun to work with because they provided many reclaimed items, such as the steel bathroom sink which was cleaned up and powder-coated bright pink (thanks to Cody Barber in Marfa) and the reclaimed lumber that clads the ceiling in the bathroom and pantry. We added two old-style steel commercial windows which were also salvaged by the clients making our lives much easier - especially because rural Marfa is a far drive from any major building suppliers.