Reply by David Craig

As casualcarpenter already mentioned, do keep in mind ergonomics when you design this project. The increased height of the keyboard will affect the height of items on top. That few inches might not seem like much, but can have a large impact on your physical comfort under heavy use. Before laying out your cutting list, I would definitely spend a little time experimenting with a comfortable working height for all your components to make sure your final design meets your needs. Considering the scope, it would be a real shame to have a handsome piece that you absolutely hate to sit at.

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.