This three-in-one wall unit, an example of the partition-type built-in, is a sectional housing of partitions extending out from a 16' wall. Into it will be built the Television-High-Fidelity     System, the Sewing Center, and the Disappearing Wallbed, described immediately following this chapter.    

Of course, any one section of the three-in-one wall unit may be built independently, or the sections may be re-arranged as the reader wishes, depending on available space and built-in needs. The Hideaway Bar, described later in this book, also is a partition-type built-in, and could be combined with any of the above sections, if desired.

These partition of the wall unit built-ins were constructed in a home which has base-panel heating. The author step-by-step instructions how to make a base platform to which the heating panels can be attached. If the reader doesn't have base-panel heating in his home, and doesn't care to make a base platform for his partition housing, he can construct the built-ins from the floor up, beginning at No. 3 in the step-by-step instructions.

The base platform, upright partitions and top of this three-in-one wall unit are all made of 3/4" Nakora plywood.  The accordion-type folding doors have a Novoply base, covered with ¼” decorative plywood paneling. Many types of decorative panels, with a wide variety of grains and other finishes, are available at lumber outlets. Surfwood paneling was used in this project, and was finished in light gray and silver. Along the front and top edges of the wall unit is an oak veneer cove moulding, behind which are fluorescent lighting fixtures providing indirect lighting.

Before beginning to build the three-in-one wall unit, or any part of it, decide upon the approximate locations of the electrical appliances you plan to use in the built-in units, and place electric outlets along the wall at those locations.

To make base platform of wall unit, cut 8"-wide back mounting strips from 3/4" plywood and attach them along bottom of wall with 8d nails. Length of mounting strips depends on length of wall unit you desire. From 3/4" plywood, also cut 8"-wide front mounting strips and 24"-wide platform top and assemble with 8d nails as shown in cross section diagram, Fig. B.

Base-heat panel, which had been mounted against wall, is now attached to 3/4" plywood front mounting strip of base platform. As noted in the introduction,  if you do not have base panel heating, and don't care to have a base platform, you can attach built-in wall unit partitions directly to the floor, following directions from photo 3 on.

Fig. A. Floor plan of wall unit can be varied according to available space and individual built-in needs.

Using pencil and square, lay out entire floor plan of wall unit on base platform following floor plan in Fig. A.

Fig. B. Side view. Platform at bottom is optional.

Author constructed left half of 16' wall section first and mounted it to wall, then constructed right half of wall section by adding partitions and horizontal pieces. Cut top piece of left half of wall unit from 3/4" plywood, making it identical with base platform.

Attach 1/4"-by-l" solid wood strips to top surface of  top piece, one inch in from front edge. This will support fluorescent lights, to be mounted later behind cove mouldings.

Using pencil and square, mark guide lines for wall unit partitions on under side of top piece, matching lines on base platform.

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