Have tape measure, will travel.

Data mining

I’m a measurer.

I worked as a metrologist for a number of years, I prefer my data quantitative, and the chapter I was most excited to write in my Tools book covers society’s history of—and reliance on—standardized measurement¹. At a 2016 talent show my skill was visually measuring things to a surprising degree of accuracy. It mildly impressed, which is probably about right.

But a surprising degree isn’t usually enough. I’m frequently considering future projects, or sizing up modifications or repairs, and at some point will wish I knew the exact dimensions. So I like to keep tape measures nearby. I buy packs of 12 footers² to stash around the house, boat, shop, etc. One lives in my backpack and it goes most places I do.

I use photos as visual notes for current or future projects and have found it’s often easier to take a picture of the measurement, rather than write it down elsewhere.

Keeping a tape measure handy is essential to my habit of inspecting items and spaces. If I’m staying in your Airbnb, there is a 100% chance that I will be measuring your furniture. (And probably your deck. And taking notes on your foundation. And photographing your trim details. And…)

A daybed with just the right depth is very much of interest to me. The lean of a low slung chair. (I use a level app on my phone to measure angles.) The size and configuration of your outdoor kitchen. A curious take on pergola framing. Whatever. I’m taking it all in and adding it to the database.

The reason for all this documentation is that I don’t really know what I’m doing when it comes to design and building, insofar as I lack a formal education in both design and building… and, well, anything else really.³

I’m just drawing on the examples I’ve soaked up over the years—all those little a-ha moments where I took note of some technique, material, or product, combined with the trial-and-error hands-on experience. I’m mining the world around me to better understand what options are out there, what’s typically done, and what works well… or doesn’t.

That right or wrong feeling can be tricky. Subtle. Examining objects and spaces to precisely log the good and the bad has been helpful to my understanding of how to create. It’s why I appreciate A Pattern Language— there’s no better examination of the dimensions and arrangements of spaces that work and don’t.⁴ As a chronic measurer, it speaks to me.

All this is to say, if you catch me on your doorbell camera, hunched over in your yard and measuring your patio furniture, don’t be alarmed. I probably just appreciate its proportions and want to learn why.

---

DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX

---

NEW TO THE NEWSLETTER? TO BUILDING?

• Start with these posts on Project Planning and Construction Basics.

• Or these posts on Community Building.

• Or browse. Posts wander from friendship, to workshops, to tools, to explosives. Because we contain multitudes.

---

---

elevatedspaces.ca | Instagram | YouTube

1. Beyond Measure is a great book on the subject. I’m only a little jealous I didn’t write it.

2. My absolute favorite tape measure, if you’re curious. Pencil sharpener, whiteboard for jotting down measurements, metric and imperial, snappy return… it does it all.

3. Except metrology (the science of measurement), which honestly hadn’t occurred to me until just now.

4. Human Dimension & Interior Space is another good book on the topic.