New studio space - any suggestions for layout?

Hi everyone, First of all I'd like to thank everyone for all the great information there is here. I only stumbled on this board last week and have already learned so much, I only wish I had known how to make my own bass-traps before I spent a load of money on 'foam' panels for my home attic studio! Anyway, I have been toying with the idea of using the cellar space I have in my house and moving my studio from my attic bedroom which gets really hot and has no real option for a vocal booth. It's a funny shaped room. The cellar area is currently used as a dumping ground for junk and as a utility area with a washer & dryer. It's really dry down there (a lot of the builders I have had in the house for other works have commented on how dry it is) so it seems silly to overlook it as an option for a studio. The house is a victorian terraced with neighbors either side so obviously I would have to take that into consideration when it comes to noise. I never work loud at night as a rule so I would hope that I can get away with the minimum soundproofing I can - or perhaps thats just me being naive. I have a joiner friend who will give me a quote for the work but I just need to decide on a good layout so I can get accurate costs. I started to design a layout with SketchUp 4 but in all honesty I have become completely stuck. It took a while to try and get to grips with how to use the program but after I created my basic layout I realised that there are a few awkward shapes and more problematic, a gas meter, an electric meter, a fuse box and a boiler that all need to be fully accessible. I was also undecided whether to try and use some of the 'utility' room space as well. My partner has allowed me to look in to this conversion on the condition that she doesn't lose the area for the washing machine and dryer. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to knock any walls down either due to building regulations. So, basically I'm a bit stuck for ideas on how to lay the area out. All I know is that it would be great to have a vocal booth, control room, a bit of storage for the existing junk (I was just going to use the coal shed cupboard) and space for the appliances. My other concern is the height of the ceiling. It's only 6.3 feet, existing floor to ceiling. There is about 24 cm space between the cellar ceiling and the floor above but I wasn't sure whether to keep that space for a good amount of sound insulation. Is this worth pursuing with that kind of height? I just wanted to show you guys the space and see whether anyone has any suggestions regarding how I should lay the space or even if it's worth doing. All suggestions welcomed! Here's the basic basic layout as it stands: http://img147.echo.cx/img147/7929/cellarfloorplan3iu.th.jpg And here is what I started to do before I got bogged down trying to learn about everything at once and confused about how to keep access for the gas meter, fuse box etc :oops: : http://img253.echo.cx/img253/9294/cellarstudiosofar2yl.th.jpg And if anyone wants to play around with the SketchUp file, it's here. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hopefully look forward to a few suggestions. Alan :)

Hi Alan - maybe try something like this?? cheers john

Hi John Thanks for the reply, and the design! I really like the angle you have put the control room area. Will a glass door to the right of mix position effect the sound or is this generally okay? Do you think I should try to use some of the other space thats available to me in the other parts of the cellar or do you think the size of the space I have will be sufficiant for a 'home' studio? Thanks again Alan

The door won't create a problem. You could also have a door and window system if you prefer it. The booth is a good size - the coal cellar behind is in an awkward position - I suppose you could turn it into an amp room or use some of the space in a laundry side - it's really up to you as to your needs. cheers john