Garage Studio- total rebuild

Thanks to this site, I've gone from empty head to half a brain full of studio design specifics! Any further help very greatly appreciated :) I am having my garage demolished and rebuilt to home studio spec, and would like any suggestions for improvements to the following plans, please.... the builders start in two weeks, and our architect (we're also having construction work done in the house) is working with me for the final overdue construction plans :shock: The walls in the detail are currently shown as plasterboard inside, however they will be "inside out" walls, with Rockwool on the inner face so I can easily add slat resonators, bass traps etc. More info on my build at an earlier planning stage is at: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10349&p=73931#p73931 As you can see, on the section plan, I have specified an isolated slab to avoid any flanking transmission to the neighbour's property (marked as party wall), and cut out road rumble (of which there isn't a lot). The pressing question is what to use as the filler "spring" layer between the slab footing and the foundation for the exterior concrete block wall. We need some strength for lateral support of the foundations.... OR, is this isolated slab thing an unnecessary complication and I should do single slab and wood floor on neoprene pads? The floor is .5m below ground level, to improve the 2.5m external height restriction placed on this building. Very many thanks in advance! Pete

I know it's only a day since starting the thread, but any comment on the isolated slab issue would be extremely helpful, as the architect is waiting to instruct the structural engineer! It's taken a year of reading Rod's book and this site to get this far.... so close! Interior detail will be added to the plans later. Cheers.

Halloo, did I ask the wrong type of question? :wink:

Looks like a good plan to me, drawn and suitable to your countries methods and standards. From a builders perspective, the odd shape for the wall layout which leads to the odd shape to the roof, I would have avoided. These can be time consuming in overall erection. But it is what it is, and should suit your wants.

Thanks for the reply. The 3 walls without the door all follow the boundary line of the property, and I angled the other wall so we have symmetry down the centre (speakers will be against the shortest wall), so I didn't have a better option really. Do you have an opinion on the isolated slab? :) Just need to know how to separate the inner slab from the outer foundations.... Many cheers.

Your contractors should be capable of handling this concern. They may pour the interior slab first, that would be the easiest thing, but doesn't mean it cannot be done the other way around. But placing 3/4 inch pressure treated lumber between the two slabs would do the trick. Have you asked the crew what they plan to do here? The architect, the engineer...they would have better solutions for you given that they know what country you are in and what kind of material is available.

Yeah, my thinking was whether or not the "bridging" material would need to be some sort of spring, or just of a different density to create the isolation. If it doesn't matter what fills the gap, then it's no problem, but if neoprene or something would be good, then I'd like to go with whatever's best. Thanks for your help so far!

:oops: :oops: Ok, you were very subtle.... I could've sworn I filled in my location profile when registering.... I know it's a big no-no..... there we go, Old Landon Tarn. :)

Well, a soft material is better then a rigid one between slabs. When an "isolated" slab is mentioned it more refers to a singular or separate slab. It is not in the same usage as isolation in respect to sound isolation with wall structures.

I'd like to beg for a quick response to the following question regarding floor (I've done plenty of searching but haven't a conclusive answer, and Rod's book doesn't specify for this situation): The floor is no longer according to the plans above, due to cost and logistical constraints. So, given that I will have a new, 150mm reinforced concrete slab poured to the foundations of the external concrete walls, should I: 1) Build a wood floor on sand deck on this and mount the "inside-out walls" on top of this 2) Add layer of 100 mm rigid insulation on top of slab, then add 70mm concrete topping screed, with the walls bolted onto this (as per attached image). I'm not concerned about the floor surface at this stage, most important is to achieve isolation from the neighbour's wall and foundation (left of picture). And yes, my floor will be c. 0.5 m below ground level, hopefully this is an advantage? :) Huge thanks and beers for any (near) instant responses! Pete

Hi Pete - Mate, I'm sorry I don't have time to give you a proper reply in a post, it's a busy day here in the studio and my Dad's 81st birthday! That aside, call me - I'm just down the road. Junc 12 M3 For me, a definite NO to both your questions. Solutions are but a quick chat away! :wink: 07880 516525 Regards, Lou. 8)

Hi Lou, and Happy 81st to your Dad - very cool! Pretty busy here too, baby no.2 is 8 days late arriving and trying to finish mixing 2 albums before Christmas! Hence studio design has reached the last minute (second!) :shock: I phoned John S last night for a really helpful chat, and he rapidly corrected a few key things in the design and suggested some more. Many thanks for your offer to phone, I'll take you up on it asap. I loved your thread, wow what work! I'll be posting John's revised design later (labour pending :wink: ) Many cheers, Pete

Cool - and many congrats to you both on the pending arrival. What a Christmas present! :D :D Regards to you both, Lou. 8)