Designing compact darkroom

Colin-B · May 7, 2023

I have the luxury of designing a darkroom from scratch, but the limitation that it needs to be as compact as possible - the space for it will be carved out of a garden office/shed/greenhouse multipurpose building.

Where I would really appreciate some help/guidance/direction is on layout.

Over the years, I have acquired (and want to make space for):
1x DeVere 504 (counter mount) with Ilford Multigrade 500H B&H head
1x DeVere 504 (wall mount) with Dichromat colour head
1x Optima12 slot processor 540x800mm deep X wide [(here)](https://web.archive.org/web/20220524022156/https://www.optimadarkroom.com/theory-and-specification)
1x sink, 705x1065mm deep X wide
1x Voron 2.4r2 350 i.e. 510x510mm deep X wide (530 H)
1x Voron 0.2 i.e. 230x230mm (280 H)

Still needed is a UV exposure box, paper/print drying rack, and dark drawer. All most likely DIY

Developing will be in Paterson tanks for rollfilm, and the slot processor for sheet film. Negatives will be everything from 35mm to 5x4. Processes will be silver gelatin, RA4, cyanotype, Pt/Pd, and eventually multilayer (colour) carbon.

My current thinking is L-shaped, and basically:
Printers stacked below counter
Dark drawer built to sit above printers
UV box on top of dark drawer
Wall mounted enlarger projecting down onto floor - anyone know how I can work out max sensible enlargement size (physical dimensions) for each negative size? Tiered baseboard support to allow different sizes
Countertop enlarger
Counter space
Slot processor in corner of L (on runners so it can be slid out over the counter space for ease of handling)
On base of L, sink

Sorry for the wall of text!

albada · May 7, 2023

Perhaps the drying rack could be placed overhead outside the darkroom, in the remaining space in the building. That would reduce crowding in the darkroom.
BTW, why are you putting the Voron 3D printers in the darkroom?

koraks · May 7, 2023

Welcome to Photrio, @Colin-B!

Colin-B said:
1x DeVere 504 (counter mount) with Ilford Multigrade 500H B&H head
1x DeVere 504 (wall mount) with Dichromat colour head

Colin-B said:
1x Voron 2.4r2 350 i.e. 510x510mm deep X wide (530 H)
1x Voron 0.2 i.e. 230x230mm (280 H)

Perhaps save space by removing redundancies?
It's nice to have a lot of stuff - if you have a lot of space.
The 500H system adds some convenience for B&W, but functionally it doesn't really do anything the color head can't do. The wall mount enlarger saves a little worktop space. A movable baseplate underneath it can accommodate larger print sizes.

Colin-B said:
Tiered baseboard support to allow different sizes

I'd reconsider and make a sliding construction that can be fixed at any height. Flexibility is kind of nice and it's perfectly feasible from a mechanical viewpoint. Plenty of enlargers work that way as well, e.g. my free-standing Durst 138.

Colin-B said:
eventually multilayer (colour) carbon.

Make sure you've got a decently sized, perfectly level and fairly smooth worktop in there somewhere. This prevents the hassle of having to set up and level something every time you want to pour tissues. It's really convenient to just wipe off an existing surface and proceed.
Also, keep in mind you will need a drying facility for your carbon tissue. If you're going to do color work, you'll most likely end up working with sensitizer-incorporated tissue (likely DAS) and this means you'll have to dry your tissues in a dark (absolutely no UV at all) environment for up to two days or so, depending on climate conditions.

Colin-B said:
UV box on top of dark drawer

Alternatively, mount UV box over worktop. Can also be a flat assembly that folds against the wall so it's (mostly) out of the way when not used. E.g.:

Note the lower exposure unit consisting of a bank of UV tubes. This one folds down if not needed. The top side functions as an extension of the worktop to the right if I need the surface area.
Note also the tiny (test purpose) LED-based exposure unit mounted to the bottom of the shelf over the worktop.

Here's the tube bank folded against the wall:

Consider the vertical height you need for the UV box and printing frame (and the space between them). This depends of course on how each of these parts are conceptualized and constructed.

Colin-B said:
Printers stacked below counter

Can work; keep in mind you have feet. It's inconvenient if you can't lean into your worktop, so make sure there's space for your limbs...
The space below a worktop is also the most likely to be subject to abuse (while handling large objects etc.) so the sensitive mechanics of your printers could use some form of protection (e.g. removable baffle/protection plate).

Colin-B said:
Slot processor in corner of L (on runners so it can be slid out over the counter space for ease of handling)

YMMV and to each their own, but personally I prefer stuff like processors to be easily movable and only be on the worktop when they're actually being used. I imagine it doesn't weigh a ton without any liquids in it.

In your place, I'd probably just start out with the worktop and sink area (and plumbing), and then fit in the different pieces from there.
Keep in mind that the space below the corner of an L-shaped worktop will be more difficult to access/use.

MattKing · May 7, 2023

I'll disagree with koraks about the two enlargers - the 500H light source is just so much easier to use!
Can you put the sink in the middle of the room, in order to permit access from 3 sides?

Colin-B · May 7, 2023

albada said:
Perhaps the drying rack could be placed overhead outside the darkroom, in the remaining space in the building. That would reduce crowding in the darkroom.
BTW, why are you putting the Voron 3D printers in the darkroom?

Good point, drying rack can indeed go outside the darkroom. That said, I'd like to keep all the photography bits and pieces behind one door - keeps the office/bedroom side to the building less cluttered. Not a game ender though, and something to bear in mind

Printers in the darkroom for the same reason, plus the alternative is a (much more) dusty workshop/shed/greenhouse

Colin-B · May 7, 2023

MattKing said:
Can you put the sink in the middle of the room, in order to permit access from 3 sides?

I could do, but to what end? Why would I need to access the sink from 3 sides? Heck I can put it in the middle of the room and permit access from 4 sides, but that starts to compromise the compact goal!

MattKing · May 7, 2023

Colin-B said:
I could do, but to what end? Why would I need to access the sink from 3 sides? Heck I can put it in the middle of the room and permit access from 4 sides, but that starts to compromise the compact goal!

It allows you very flexible access to the sink. If you then surround it with work areas on three walls, you can fit a lot of functionality in a small space.

GregY · May 7, 2023

MattKing said:
It allows you very flexible access to the sink. If you then surround it with work areas on three walls, you can fit a lot of functionality in a small space.

Matt, I've always been a proponent of keeping the dry & wet sides of my darkrooms separate. Most small spaces are well...small. My sinks accommodate trays for up to 20x24" prints, so a 28" wide swath of sink would eat up a good percentage of any small room. Not to mention the added expense of complicated plumbing. That's been my experience.

MattKing · May 7, 2023

GregY said:
Matt, I've always been a proponent of keeping the dry & wet sides of my darkrooms separate. Most small spaces are well...small. My sinks accommodate trays for up to 20x24" prints, so a 28" wide swath of sink would eat up a good percentage of any small room. Not to mention the added expense of complicated plumbing. That's been my experience.

I don't disagree, but this sink isn't that:

Colin-B said:
1x sink, 705x1065mm deep X wide

30" x 42"

Colin-B · May 7, 2023

First of all thanks @koraks; a lot to unpack there.

Perhaps save space by removing redundancies?

I'll put it back into consideration, but the balance is of course convenience

reconsider and make a sliding construction that can be fixed at any height. Flexibility is kind of nice and it's perfectly feasible from a mechanical viewpoint

Excellent shout. Will have to wrap my head around how, but are we basically talking about some t-track mounted vertically?

Make sure you've got a decently sized, perfectly level and fairly smooth worktop in there somewhere.

What would you consider "decently sized" in this context? Level and flat is eminently achievable. I presume something like melamine is acceptable as a surface? Or should I be seeking something less textured?

you'll have to dry your tissues in a dark (absolutely no UV at all) environment for up to two days or so

Any issues with a flat wire rack in a UV-proof darkroom?

mount UV box over worktop. Can also be a flat assembly that folds against the wall so it's (mostly) out of the way when not used

Perfect!

Note also the tiny (test purpose) LED-based exposure unit mounted to the bottom of the shelf over the worktop.

Showing my novice experience, and something worthy of another thread in its own right no doubt - but presumably for testing exposure times?

Consider the vertical height you need for the UV box and printing frame (and the space between them). This depends of course on how each of these parts are conceptualized and constructed

I really haven't got that far! Are there any common designs out there?

processors to be easily movable and only be on the worktop when they're actually being used. I imagine it doesn't weigh a ton without any liquids in it.

I agree in principle. However, this one weighs a figurative tonne even empty, so it's going to live on the countertop. I suppose it could live under the counter beneath a cutout, and be raised on a platform as/if desired

Noted re L-corner below counter. Just figured that one out in a new kitchen!

GregY · May 7, 2023

MattKing said:
I don't disagree, but this sink isn't that:

30" x 42"

How do you prevent splashing?

Colin-B · May 7, 2023

MattKing said:
It allows you very flexible access to the sink. If you then surround it with work areas on three walls, you can fit a lot of functionality in a small space.

Probably I'm being dense, but I'm still not getting why I'd need such flexibility? Aren't I always going to be doing dry work then wet? And if all enlargers/exposure devices are in the same place, it's the same trip every time?

koraks · May 7, 2023

Colin-B said:
but are we basically talking about some t-track mounted vertically?

For instance, yeah, but I imagine any kind of rail or column setup could be enivisioned!

Colin-B said:
What would you consider "decently sized" in this context?

Depending on how big you intend to print and your preferred workflow. I'd just translate it into "as large as you can afford in terms of square footage"

Colin-B said:
I presume something like melamine is acceptable as a surface?

That'll work just fine. I use a regular kitchen counter top.

Colin-B said:
Any issues with a flat wire rack in a UV-proof darkroom?

Perfect, as long as it's really UV-proof for the two or so days your tissue dries.

Colin-B said:
Showing my novice experience, and something worthy of another thread in its own right no doubt - but presumably for testing exposure times?

Ah, long story - explained here: https://tinker.koraks.nl/photography/kind-of-blue-a-test-with-uv-leds-for-das-carbon-transfer/
It's a test of different LEDs for my carbon workflow. I'm still using the test unit for 4x5" prints because there are some other issues I'm ironing out at the moment. I still need to expand the small one to a bigger one for 8x10", but I've been putting off the PCB making and whatnot...

Colin-B said:
Are there any common designs out there?

Oh, lots. Essentially just about anything will work. Easiest is an array of suitable UV LED strips, probably. But there are many ways to skin this cat!

Colin-B said:
However, this one weighs a figurative tonne even empty, so it's going to live on the countertop.

Gotcha. Well, keep in mind things need cleaning/dusting once in a while. I learned that the hard way. That particular processor looks like an inconvenient unit to clean (well) once it has collected some dust, debris and the inevitable chemical contamination.

Colin-B said:
Noted re L-corner below counter. Just figured that one out in a new kitchen!

Swiveling cabinet for pots etc? Anyway, you get my drift!

MattKing · May 7, 2023

Colin-B said:
Probably I'm being dense, but I'm still not getting why I'd need such flexibility? Aren't I always going to be doing dry work then wet? And if all enlargers/exposure devices are in the same place, it's the same trip every time?

Well, it seems to me that you won't be using the enlargers when you are doing the UV exposure based processes, so you will have at least two different workflows. Having access to the sink from both sides makes it easier to have the workflow dependent elements in their own locations - less having to move things around each time you go from silver gelatin to RA4 to cyanotype to etc.
There would be less value to doing this if you only worked with a single process.
Here is a really crude sketch - nothing is to any realistic sort of scale. The sink is circled in red, and the door in grey.

Colin-B · May 8, 2023

MattKing said:
Well, it seems to me that you won't be using the enlargers when you are doing the UV exposure based processes, so you will have at least two different workflows. Having access to the sink from both sides makes it easier to have the workflow dependent elements in their own locations - less having to move things around each time you go from silver gelatin to RA4 to cyanotype to etc.
There would be less value to doing this if you only worked with a single process.
Here is a really crude sketch - nothing is to any realistic sort of scale. The sink is circled in red, and the door in grey.
View attachment 338049

Gotcha. Having never done any of the alt processes, I'd better wrap my head a bit deeper around them in order to have a shot at thinking it through!

Designing compact darkroom

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