Studio from scratch, advice on anything would be appreciated

I am applying for council approval for a backyard studio. I have a maximum of 144sqm space including external walls to build with. Besser or cinder block in outer construction. 3-4 meters high external, depending on approval. Costs on labor isn't really an issue. Studio equipment is not an issue. Materials and design regarding isolation are more the issues. The purpose of this studio is for me to spend as much time doing what I love without complaints from the neighbors. I love playing, writing and recording music. Rock music, heavy rock and sometimes classical piano. I would like a live room/ and or drum room. Vocal booth or two, something to handle my loud tone master, and various other stacks, and a nice control room. Budget $50000-100000 AUD. As far as labor is concerned I'll only be paying for a concrete slab, everything else is me, friends and family, ie me brickie/carpenter, brother builder/ carpenter, dad brickie, inlaw sparky. So basically materials, building materials. It isn't commercial but I want it as good as I can get for the dollar so I am willing to pay a designer such as John to design it. I could do with some help on how much this project may cost. John designed another studio in my town and I love it, that's how I found this page, so if anyone could give me some estimates, help, or message me with design quotes it would be appreciated. External Dimensions 16mx9, it cant be longer than 16, the nine can be changed but to keep with building code 144sqm is as large as I can go. 3-4 meters high, with 3 being easier to get approved. Cheaper the better but I am open to suggestions. Thanks from James.

I hope you post your build as I will defiantly follow it, If you have the money and can get John to design for you I'm sure from all the builds on his site that I'v viewed you will have a great job, not being an expert and looking to this forum for help in building my very small home studio for my sons to use this forum was and is a fantastic help, like you I have some construction skills as I am a ground worker in the UK and nearly all the work is done by me, how ever I am building with no planning so have to stick to all the council guide lines for out buildings and sheds, one of which is not being taller than 2.5m total high, This would have meant very low ceilings inside which is not good, but it was Glenn who suggested going down in the ground which is a lot of work but means I have 2.8m ceiling height internally and can honestly say this is the best thing ever as I am sure that one of the reasons that the sound is so low outside of my build so far is that my slab is around 0.8m below grade, so if possible that would be my bit of advice consider going down in the ground to get your ceiling heights :D Good luck mate :D

It is a very good idea for sound isolation and the ceiling heights would be great, I wonder how council would feel about me digging a 144 cubic meter hole in my back yard. Maybe I should submit the application as indoor swimming pool. I think the principal is great, it would make the build a lot bigger as I would have to divert groundwater from around the studio. My father jack hammered a huge amount of rock when he built extensions on his house, mine would only need digging. I would also have to work around a sewage main. Though the isolation and ceiling height benefits are definitely there I just can't seeing it financially feasible. Though I will keep it mind.