Lo-hi-fi studio mark II

This is an amazing forum. I can't believe I have never found it before. Incredible. I am so grateful. I am at the beginning. When I am not making music I get paid to plan and strategise. So that's where I start. I did have a nice 35m2 rehearsal space a few years ago, in an office building on the edge of the city that I never had to soundproof, which was OK, but now I need somewhere closer to home. I am looking within 5km of where I live and the choice is mostly commercial office with a few more production type options. It means I am committing to a studio design and build. I have always wanted to do it and now I need to. My current studio space is 2m x2m. I have to open the door to record bass guitar. There are a few larger multi-room rehearsal facilities that have sprung up around here in similar office buildings so I know it is possible. Here is the plan so far: THE SPACE -20-120m2 of space within 5km -the minimum I want is a live room and an office, but I would stretch to to just a 20m2 rehearsal space, but my vision is for a mini-complex with a live room for three bands to rehearse and record, 2-5 AV-type rooms for digital production including 1-2 of those being control rooms (and possibly with 1-2 booths), and some common areas. I have a bunch of willing friends who are paying far too much in monthly rent for shared rehearsal space and/or need AV production space -with the live room, sound proofing rather than treatment will be the priority. Depending on the space, one control room will be prioritised for treatment. The others will be designed with minimum soundproofing necessary for AV work -I haven't seen a thread on glass benefits yet but I am thinking monitors and web cams rather than glass between the 1-2 control rooms and live room if it makes it easier to put more effort into soundproofing the live room all round. THE WONGA -budget of 10-15k EUR for the design and build for the mid-level (2-3 rooms) basic construction with utilities, not including anything beyond very basic treatment, like acoustic treatment, furniture or equipment (each room 'buddie' can cover the extra) -my intention is not to run a profit making business, rather to cover the build costs over 3 years and get good value for myself and my friends and our bands/projects via monthly payments -office rental space is going at around 10EUR/m2/month. The space tends to be well constructed, secure, water/heat/electricty included, much of the space is ready for heavier duty semi-industrial applications so I am hoping to find somewhere that is already semi-isolated or provides a good start to the soundproofing challenge -already I am thinking if it is foolish to rent if buying is an option THE SOUNDS -music style - well it's rock in the live room, some pretty heavy and dark, but electronica and music video production in other rooms -loud band rehearsal in evenings and ability to track non-death metal drums during the day, all with no impact on surrounding offices THE REST -timing - find the space in Q4/09 and have it ready by easter -and I have Sketchup though I am a total novice -and I have seen some very poorly designed rehearsal spaces so at least I know some of what not to do -and I have been skirting this for years, reading up on related topics - though nothing as intense as these boards! -and I have a few friends who have supervised some other builds and are sparkies/chippies -and I have a willing duchess, who knows I am going to go spare unless I get another studio ...I am fu**ed aren't I. Treble the budget. Half the space. Never work with children, animals or friends. Divorce. I'm clutching at straws. I'll start on the budgeting... :idea: And I'll be back...