Ground Up Home Studio London Construction Thread

Ok so I've decided its time to upload a few pics and show the progress of my studio shell... Here is the design thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19777 The sketchup model needs updating and tweaks but now I've got my actual dimensions I'll be refining the design in the next week or so before starting framing. The building isn't watertight yet (still building the external door) so until its watertight and dryed out I can't do much inside anyway. Primarily this room will be for writing and mixing with an element of vocal/instrument recording. I've gone for a single room with no facilities (I have a sink and toilet in the workshop/garage 10m away), I'm trying to keep it simple and my aim is to pretty much build full time until its finished. My wife and I are expecting our first child in february so I'd love to get in the studio by then but I know thats probably unrealistic but I'm determined! Currently our living room is setup as a studio so I'd love to get the space back before the baby comes. All things considered its a tall order... I'll upload some pictures now so you can see what my builders have been doing.

Ok now for loads of pictures!

And some more!

More pics

Building Starts!

We have walls!!

Tanking and drainage

Roof Time!

Internal tanking and screed

My first project...building the window

More window stuff!

Window and installation.

25mm laminated glass!

Paving and window

The builders have finished the shell today and will come back to fit the door once I've built the thing! It feels great to have got to this point but the realisation that I've now got to build the internal shell and fit everything out is a little overwhelming as the window I've just built is pretty much the biggest construction project I've ever done. Please feel free to ask any questions, I know every last detail of the construction and will try and keep this thread updated as I continue over the next months. Wish me luck!!!!

Interesting, but what stops the sound getting out through the roof?

Interesting, but what stops the sound getting out through the roof?

That looks like it might be a "beam and block" roof, in which case it is just as solid and massive as the walls. I can't be sure, because the photos don't show enough detail, but it looks like it might be. - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

That looks like it might be a "beam and block" roof, in which case it is just as solid and massive as the walls. I can't be sure, because the photos don't show enough detail, but it looks like it might be.

Ah yes, I see it in the photo now I look again.

Yes its a beam and block roof with a screed top so very massive but not as dense as the walls. The walls are built from 215mm wide dense concrete blocks (2000KG/m3) which each weigh around 26KG. The roof is made from Milbank beams infilled with 100mm medium density blocks (1500KG/m3 approx) topped with a concrete screed laid to falls with a minimum thickness of 50-60mm and max of around 130mm. I planned for the roof to be more substantial but when the builders got to the roof there were problems with getting the correct design in time (an oversight/miscommunication from the structural engineer). Ideally Milbank design the roof and specify the correct layout but this process takes about a month, I wasn't aware of this and neither was the builder so the structural engineer would only sign off on a less heavy roof as Milbank don't actually publish full details of their products. The design of the roof uses the close spacing of the beams and lighter blocks but my feeling is that the roof will be fine as its still very substantial! I may infill between the beams with plasterboard as there are small gaps between the blocks. My current idea is to finish my exterior super door and then test the TL rating of the shell with no additional penetrations. Anyone care to suggest a TL figure I should expect/hope for with this configuration for the shell only? The glass is 25mm laminated, I'm building the door using a 54mm FD60 blank with a hardwood frame, Norseal drop seal and perimiter seals in a bank vault arrangement. At present I haven't decided on what I'm going to use for the additional mass on the door yet. My budget is already over so I'm trying to shave off wherever I can and lead isn't cheap!!!

Here are a few internal shots of the block and beam roof before and after the infill blocks.

Here is the door frame I've made glued and screwed. The Meranti I got was fairly warped so I ended up planing off around 7mm trying to level it off, unfortunately this has left the frame slightly wider at the top than the bottom (approx 8mm). This is definitely a worry but the timber was expensive so I'm hoping its going to be ok, I'm planning on cutting the door blank to size when I've got some help to move it and test fitting everything before installing. I'm learning so much already and just hoping to not make any serious expensive mistakes!!

I would suggest that you paint the entire interior surface of the walls and ceiling with a good quality masonry sealant. All of that looks to be very porous, which is not good for acoustic isolation. Another option (even better, if you can afford it) would be to stucco all of those surfaces (plaster, mortar). That would both seal and and also add mass. It's looking good, though! Major advance to have the shell completed!!! :yahoo: :thu: - Stuart -

Hi Stuart, thanks for you input! I'm planning on painting the walls to seal them but the ceiling may require a slightly different approach I think. The gaps between the blocks are a few mm in some places so I was wandering about putting a layer of plasterboard between the concrete beams to cover those gaps and get a tight finish. The added mass for the ceiling should help a little and will structurally be within tolerance I believe (I'll check with the engineer). If I take this approach should I fill the gaps between the blocks before adding the plasterboard? I'm still working on my door but the frame is in and plumb which is a good start!!

Also the reason for potentially using plasterboard to seal the ceiling is its a lot easier to handle for me as I've never rendered (stucco'd) anything in my life! Have you any idea what TL figures I should expect from this outer shell Stuart? I think it would be a good idea once the door is in and the walls and ceiling sealed to test it to make sure I'm getting the expected performance.

Nothing to add, but I'm watching with interest! The outer shell materials and approach that you have gone with would have been my preference if I'd had the budget to do a proper job of it. I'd do the same as you with plaster boarding the ceiling. Render is a nightmare to work with as a novice - particularly if its going on a ceiling... What are you planning for HVAC?