Opinions on Studio Layout

Hi, I've spent some time reading lots of helpful information at this forum (from lots of helpful folks) and just wanted to see if I'm on the right track with my layout. Some background: My company is moving offices and we will be building a recording studio in addition to the typical office layout for a company. While the studio space will be used to record local artists/bands (primarily), it will also serve as a weekly rehearsal space for a five piece rock band. Considerations: - to make sure that the live room was large enough to accommodate a five piece rock band at least once a week with thoughts to constantly loading and unloading for shows. - the control room was large enough to spend considerable time in without feeling claustrophobic. - some separation between the two functionalities (offices & studio). Thanks, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -Billl

What is the ceiling height(s)? What are the room volumes? What is your location? Andre

We're not quite sure what the ceiling heights will be. They should be either 9' or 10' tall. I've added interior wall dimensions with room volumes (for both ceiling heights) to the floor plan. Hopefully I can get the software, FloorPlan 3D, to do this for me in the future. Thanks, Bill

Studio room appears big enough. Teh lounge at the nback and required coridors seems like a waste of spce. Control room is somewhat small. EBU nominal is 3500 cubic fet. John will whiz us with his genius. :D Andre

Thanks for taking a look at it. I agree with the lounge area in the back, unfortunately it's behind a concrete wall that I just can't move. It's also a shared lounge/conference room with the office space, that's why there's a hallway that leads to it. Bill.

Bill - are we starting from scratch or are some of the walls already fixed?? cheers john

The walls below in yellow are fixed (concrete). The walls in blue are an existing structure, half of which contains bathrooms --so we are a little reluctant on pulling them down.

Moving bathrooms is not much work compared with doing the studios properly. I would take into consideration while what-ifing design ideas. What is the purpose of the "foyer" and "workspace"? would their use be amenable to being tied in (lines and visual) for occassional/regular use as part of teh studio? Andre

Andre, The foyer and workspace are for another part of the company. Essentially there are two companies (distinct functions) occupying this space, one an internet development company, the other a recording studio. That foyer is the introduction to the computer company and the workspace is for shared desks, file cabinets, fax, printers, etc... I would like to keep these as separate as I can. While most of the time they would operate on different schedules, there will be times for both to co-exist at the same time. The only shared room for the two would possibly be the back "lounge/conference" room. It is possible that the control room could be used for a makeshift lounge for the studio. I'm not opposed to moving the foyer/bathroom/bathroom structure, It just seemed to complement the design as-is. I'm OK with the current basic layout of things, I just want to see if there's an issue with the control room/lock/tracking room(s) design (size, shape, etc...). Would the removal of the foyer/bathrooms be used to design a new layout to accomplish a specific layout problem with the studio space? Thanks for taking the time to respond. It's very much appreciated. Bill

Bill- getting the ergonomics right to start with is important. here is an idea - it allows for a reception area that feeds both businesses right from the start - you either go left or right. the lounge area is shared by both businesses. the control room is sideways - much better for a proper 5:1 layout and has a separate vox booth. Your thoughts?? cheers john

John, Thanks for taking the time to respond. It's nice to see how someone else "sees" the space. I like what you've done, still I can't get rid of the concrete wall in the back (marked in yellow). If I remove the vocal booth, I think it should look like this: I didn't think about using the hallway as the soundlock. Should I be worried about the parallel walls in the tracking room? Hmm... could I apply that (control room size, sound lock hallway) to the previous design, and benefit from a larger control room space? All else aside, for either design, are their any obvious layout problems with the control room studio design --size, volume, wall shape... I do appreciate your help, and I don't want it to sound like I'm looking for a magic answer. I just want to know if it looks ok, fine or disastrous. Thanks for all of your help. Bill

Bill - the top hallway is wasted space IMO which is why I used the area for a booth and gained access to the rear offices via one door. You can still use that space albeit a smaller booth. I put the lounge area next to the control room so they interact together as most of the lounge area use will be for non participating musos waiting for their turn. cheers john

dead end corridors must be less than 20' is there no door on the back or side of the space? if not you might want to make it possible to loop thru the building w/ both exit doors as far apart as you can on the front wall.

Hey Bill, do you have a dxf file you could post in a zipfile.

good ideas subatom - :) is there rear access?? cheers john

Hey Folks, Sorry that it takes me a day or two to get back. Unfortunately, the only access to the space is through the two front doors. More unfortunate is that they can't be moved. ---- John: I agree that the top hallway seems to be a waste of space. Having the extra room up there seems to as much of blessing as a curse, or at least getting to it independently of other functions. ---- subatom: I never thought to make a loop through. It presents some interesting solutions to a lot of the problems I've been facing --including access to the top rooms. When you say "dead end corridors must be less than 20'", is that a code issue or just a design consideration? I've attaced a drawing to show the loop through using the current door situation. It also allows for more "open space" using a shared lounge area that's not confined, and while I was at it, I combined both bathrooms to make a room somewhere in between. I've also applied some of the thinking to the older design. I can't seem to let go of this layout --everything is so compartment-a-lized (studio, company). ---- DreaminDrumBeats: Here's a link to a Zip file that contains both layout .dxf files. http://www.wdog.net/jsf/layout.zip ---- Thanks again, I didn't imagine so many people would be so helpful. -Bill

Judt call me Doni, and thanks for the link give me a couple of days and you never know what I might come up with.

The dead end corridor is a code issue. Two distinct exits is also. If one path is blocked by fire, you need an egress alternative. If the exits aren't seperate, a single fire can block both. I believe code also says the exits should be seperated by about half the distance of the diagonal, but i'm not looking at the code right now. it think it also depends on the occupancy type. Does the office and studio need be seperated? Who all will use the lounge?

Hey Bill I hit the link you posted and downloaded the dxf files and when I opened them up there was nothing there. Just thought I'd let you know why I haven't posed any ideas