Building in Stages

Hi, Excellent forum!! I am in the beginning stages of designing (or having designed for me) my first "real" studio (I'm growing out of my sound-treated garage). Is it possible to at least create the "shell" of the facility and add the iso rooms, reception area, lounge, etc. later without having to tear into the existing construction or otherwise waste time/money? I'd really like to end up with something big/nice, but don't want to get *that* big of a loan up front. Also, I've heard that there are already about 200 designs out there. Is there a link to them for browsing? I've gotten some good ideas from those I've seen already. TIA, Steven

Greetings and welcome! If you're after a big facility, the best way to do it would be to go in stages, so yes- it's possible. I'll be doing the same thing around this time next year. All you need to do is determine what parts you'll need first. If you have a master-plan for the overall construction, just build the outer shell as if everything inside is going to be built all at once. Parts of the building may stand empty for a while, but better that than having to tear stuff up every year or so to add on, right? Besides, for a recording studio the outer shell is the cheap and easy part. It's the inside that you'll be spending all the time and money on. Studio design and construction lends itself to this sort of plan, anyway- if you'll be building rooms that are structurally isolated from each other anyway (double walls and separate ceiling joists, etc) then it doesn't matter if you build them one room at a time- in fact, you'll end up doing that anyway- so what if it's a year between addition of each room? Start off with the control room, then add tracking, then iso, then you can take your time on the lounge. Anyway, Giles is the resident guru of designs. If there's a laundry-list of them anywhere, he'll point it out to you.

Great post, I'd like to encourage any other people to post their experiences with "eventually adding on" construction. I'm just starting to design a studio space in my basement, but more importantly, i must build the live/tracking room FIRST, cause the band i plan in also needs a room to rehearse in, and not bother the neighbors. Control room will be second, iso booths third, and finally, my bedroom last. I'll be moving my mattress around the basement for a while til it has a home.

dymaxian wrote:

Greetings and welcome! Start off with the control room, then add tracking, then iso, then you can take your time on the lounge.

Sounds great. Thanks for the confirmation and tips. Steven