John's CR Designs with a "Platform"

Out of curiosity, almost every design on John's Current Projects page http://www.johnlsayers.com/Pages/Projects.htm the control room has a raised platform in the back for a seating area. I have worked in numerous studios which have also implemented this. My question is, are these "floating" floors. I've read all over here about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to this topic and find myself questioning if this is just poured concrete (i.e. not floating/coupled with the main floor) or if it is some kind of platform. I remember seeing something similar in one of these threads a few years ago but can't find it for the life of me. I am still working on my design (original design here http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11493 / new one coming soon). I hope to had already started building but that has obviously been pushed back quite a bit because of several other home issues that needed attention first that we didn't realize at the time. I currently have an 18" step down into the garage and I would like to compensate for some of that with a 6" platform like in John's designs but I'm just not sure what the construction of this is made up of. Hopefully someone can un-confuse me on this issue. Thanks guys!

If you sit down in a couch and I sit at a desk chair at the console you will be lower than me and will look up at me. (not good for client/engineer relationship) If you want to see the console or through to the live room you'll have to stand up. The raised couch solves all those problems.

Thank you for the response John. I understand the concept and am very much in agreement with you. That is why I am interested in adding this to my design. My question was geared more towards the installation. I'm assuming that pouring an additional layer of concrete to form a step would be the proper way unless I'm not seeing something. That's why I asked. Thanks again!

just a 2 x layer wooden floor on joists is all you need. Fill the cavity with insulation.

John Sayers wrote:

just a 2 x layer wooden floor on joists is all you need. Fill the cavity with insulation.

By "2x" do you mean 2 layers of 3/4" plywood? I was thinking about that idea, and hoped that the resulting 1 1/2" deck with insulation would be stiff enough and "filled" enough to avoid the resonance and the hollow sound when you step on it. I'm encouraged by this, as doing anything in concrete is so permanent, it's a little daunting. Thanks! Joe

Thanks again John. That's how I had seen it constructed on here before but wasn't sure if the person was trying to float the floor or just build this platform. Two last questions about this: 1) Are these floors built on the inside of the walls or are they build first and then the walls sit on top of them? 2) If I'm going with a "one room" design and plan to occasionally record drums in here, should I stay away from this or will this just act like a big drum riser and won't cause any problems?

build the platform last, and if you like have it not touch the wall at all. nothing worse than someone tapping there foot and it vibrating through the walls. this will also help when your building (not getting in the road) I also had a thought that it might be good to have some added bass when sitted on the couch. to accually utilize the drum head concept? so the client is feeling it even when your not....? :mrgreen: just a thought

Thank you Lilith! I figured that it went inside of the finished interior. Also, building it at that time would make the framing of the walls a lot easier of a job. I'm still a little nervous about recording drums off the top of it (the drum head concept as you mentioned). That's why I considered concrete as being the best option. The permanence of concrete doesn't bother me that much but the wood is an easier build. Thanks for all of the comments guys (and girls)