Survey to get a better view on how the common washing machine area (buanderie) will be used

The Reef
1

Hi @reef-full @joannes ,

On the current plans, the washing machine area covers 16 m2 brut. This would allow for

  • 3 industrial washing machines ( The architects indicated that if we would not work with industrial washing machines, the space could be a bit smaller).

  • 2 dryers

  • a table to do fold your laundry

This survey has as a goal to know what your expectations are from this common space / how you will use it / how big the common washing area should be.

Could you please fill in this survey by Wednesday 22/01 12:00 (noon)?

2 Likes
2

Two questions:

  1. Why industrial washing machines? We would likely not coordinate on laundry times, so they would end up being 3/4 empty all the time, no?
  2. Is there a way to replace dryers with clotheslines, and let the Second Principle take care of drying?

How I will use it: about three machines every two weeks.

2 Likes
3

I agree with both. (And put something similar in the comment section at the end of the survey)

2 Likes
4

From my limited expertise, I think the argument in favour of professional laundry appliances (not industrial, that’s still something else), is that they are sturdier, and often come with a service contract for repairs.

Their drums are bigger though, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense for single person households.

If people would be open to that, there would be resource efficiency gains that could be made for example if you’d pool the washing of bedsheets (incl.those of the guest room).

For clotheslines the space in Obelix is the best, because with a bit of juggling you can use the height of the room.

5

one dryer would be great for the winter and kids.

2 Likes
6

Yes, absolutely necessary for us as a family! Dryers have saved my life since the kids introduced themselves.
I would not go for clotheslines in the common room: they will be filled very easily, but people will forget/postpone picking up their clothes, and it will lead to unnecessary discussions/frustrations (cf. any camping, youth hostel or Erasmus experience you might have :wink: )

3 Likes
7

Completing on what Lee answered.

the way i understand it they are robust and allow to be used more regularly. A domestic washing machine is meant to be used by one family. Here we are not going to have one washing machine per family, so they will be used more frequently. (The technician who repaired my domestic washing machine, told me to leave at least 2 hours between two washings to let the machine ‘cool’ down’).

They are bigger (so take up more space than the domestic ones), and like lee says: the drums are bigger.

From a sustainability point of view: I think recuperating our washing machines that we all own now, is more sustainable than getting new ones, maybe to be replaced by more professional ones , once they start braking down. (with the remark lie made: will people be open to put their laundry together with sb’s else’s laundry, or with the laundry from the commons).

1 Like
8

Thanks for filling in the survey and the feedback.

Here is the link to the results of the survey with a summary of the main questions: (TB/Common spaces/Buanderie)

2 Likes
9

I just did some research on laundry rooms in Swedish condiminiums, which is very common over there.

Here’s an article that mentions they have 4 professional laundry machines and 2 dryers for an apartment block of … 85 households: The Swedish ‘tvättstugan’

Just sayin …