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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Acoustics in Motion => Topic started by: jkasko on August 26, 2006, 12:16:31 PM

Title: Studio Design in New House
Post by: jkasko on August 26, 2006, 12:16:31 PM
We are about design a new house and we want to incorporate a studio into the design. We are going to be meeting with the architect in a few days and wanted to get some preliminary answers to a few questions I have. The studio will be used for recording and mixing of live bands as well as serving as a practice for our existing band. We will be taking on outside clients so a seperate enterance to the studio is essential.

The house is going to be build on 1/2 lot with a a walkout basement. The nearest house will be approximately 30 feet away so isolation is a main concern. Our initital thought was to excavate under the garage for the studio portion and the create a lobby, lounge, and main enterance in a portion of the walkout section.

The initial thought is to have a 3.5 extra deep garage. That would give an approximate area of 38-40 feet by 22-25 feet for the studio portion. Also since it would be underneath the garage, a natural sound buffer would occur between the garage itself and the upstairs of the house. Also the majority of the walls of the studio would be concrete foundation. I am trying to determine if this would be more cost effective or it would be better to build ground level off the main house instead. I am thinking excavating under the garage would be more efficient and more cost effective, but that is just a guess.

Here are some basic questions. Will this be enough square feet for the control and live rooms with isos? If so, do they have to be that large? The lounge and bathroom can be in another part of the basement so I am not concerned about that. Will this space allow a large enough tracking room for a nice drum sound? How do you determine the optimal ceiling height. A normal high pour in our area is 9'. We have talked to builder about going 10' for the whole basement. That would be not be a problem, it is just a matter of cost. We could also 12' under the excavated part of the garage and then have the rest of the basement either at a 9' or 10' pour to get more height in the studio section. I don't know where the acoustic tradeoff in height is at.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I wanted to get some ideas before we started anything serious with our architect. Doing my initial homework at this stage with a fresh canvas will be a lot better than trying to retrofit something later.


Thanks so much.
_________________
Joe Kasko
Perfect Sound Studios
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
www.perfectsnd.com
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: mmazurek on August 26, 2006, 12:24:35 PM
I wanna watch!!!

Very Happy
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: mmazurek on August 26, 2006, 12:28:48 PM
Also, there is a house nearby (south Naperville) that was built with a 12' full basement.  Didn't care for the house, but LOVED the huge feeling in the basement.  (was unfinished concrete, and looked like you could play basketball down there)

Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: jfrigo on August 26, 2006, 04:45:49 PM
I'd go more than 9' if it's not too prohibitive. Remember, a 9' pour doesn't mean 9' of finished interior space. Depending on what you do for flooring, isolation, cabling runs (troughs?), and systems (HVAC etc.), you could easily lose a foot or two.
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: arconaut on August 26, 2006, 07:36:30 PM

I'd just like to state something really obvious - watch your builders like a hawk! Most contractors don't know how to build studios. They don't understand not making penetrations. They don't understand the HVAC needs of a studio, star ground systems or walls within walls that cannot touch. Does your architect have experience with this kind of stuff?

Noah
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: franman on August 26, 2006, 09:31:20 PM
Joe,

We really should talk... this is a serious undertaking and I don't want to try and answer your questions really quickly here without real consideration...

1. Higher is better.
2. Yes, under the garage will give you a great amount of "built in" isolation
3. There may be a scenario that would make sense for excavating a little deeper at the studio locations to allow for a floating floor build up in those areas without needing a step up to the studio rooms. We do this quite a bit on new construction..

Please feel free to call or drop me an email to discuss this further. I'd be happy to discuss working on your project and YES, we could make it a "case study" for the forum if you are willing... let me know.

Email and phone numbers are available on my website (link below)...
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: compasspnt on September 02, 2006, 02:08:32 AM

http://www.fmdesign.com/
Title: Re: Studio Design in New House
Post by: franman on September 02, 2006, 11:50:06 PM
UPDATE:  spoke with Joe about his situation. He is currenlty considering the value and cost implications of hiring a professional acoustic consultant... this is important for you all to consider also. I realize this forum is an Q&A for many of you with existing or pending small rooms, but if you are considering a project that involves new construction over 500SF and you are looking at a budget that allows it, I really have to recommend talking personally with a qualified consultant/designer and discussing your project, possible fees and construction costs. I call this a "reality check" phone consult...