Multipurpose Basement Studio -- EDITED, smaller pix

Note: My top view image was accidentally too big when I first posted. :( Sorry -- it's my first post here! I hope it's OK for everybody now... --- Greetings, I am new to the site, seeking some input on a basement studio. We'll be moving in to the house in Cambridge, MA (USA) in a few weeks, trying to get a sense of what we can accomplish in the space. So far, I've been blown away by the wealth of info on this excellent site -- thanks everyone! Last night I got started with Sketchup to put the attached plans together. We'd like the space to provide for both a sound-isolated music room as well as a non-music, multipurpose art project / kid playspace. We're imagining some lounging space somewhere that could sleep overnight guests with a foldout couch. It would be great if we could find a way to squeeze in a half-bath, or at least a utility sink. Also, we need an area for general storage -- maybe an unfinished 5' x 7' closet, or else shelving incorporated into the rest of the space. I think the raw space has promise, but it's cluttered by some elements: * a HVAC unit in the center * four 4" metal posts supporting the ceiling * two airducts which run along the ceiling and join the HVAC: one cold, one hot (wrapped in insulation) * HW heater * washer & dryer (which we're hoping to move to another floor) Note: the HVAC and posts are located accurately in my plans, but I'm not sure the precise location of the airducts, HW heater, and laundry setup (though I think they're pretty close). Other elements in the plans (windows, stairs, and overall dimensions) are accurate. The music space is intended for family musicmaking and recreation. I'm a staff member at Berklee College of Music who gigs on the side, and my wife is a vocalist. We play together and with our son, and sometimes other friends. Ultimately we need enough soundproofing to have fun playing and recording recreationally without bugging the neighbors. Our house is a "detached condo" meaning it is freestanding and shares no walls with the other units -- unusual. However, the other 4 condo owners have heard that we're musicians and some are nervous about the noise. I want to clarify that we're not expecting to create an acoustically perfect environment inside, just to minimize the noise emanating out from the music space. We love the place and want to be good neighbors without cramping our own lifestyle. Not sure whether we should be thinking of the music space as an isolated room within the basement, or to consider treating the entire basement as necessary to reduce sound transmission. Here's what we need to accommodate musically: * computer workstation * 76-key MIDI controller * room for 2-3 people to play, maybe with a minimal drum kit * amps * hooks/stands/storage for a few guitars In the non-music area, we need to include a big worktable of some kind, storage for arts & crafts supplies, toy storage, and enough elbow room for 2-3 young kids to play. The basement is sealed, painted concrete with two windows on the North side, facing into a shared courtyard. Windows are a few inches above ground on the outside, meaning that of the overall 8' height, about 5' is completely underground. Our East wall has one neighbor about 10' away from our house. The other two walls don't face anyone. The ceiling is currently open, with R-11 fibreglass insulation alrady installed beneath the floor above. The floor is currently painted concrete -- no moisture or seepage -- which we'd like to cover with cork flooring (for aeshetic, not sound isolation reasons). QUESTIONS: 1. Should we separate the music area with some walls, or treat the entire basement to keep our noise from carrying out? 2. Any issues concerning the proposed cork floor? 3. Layout suggestions to address our space needs? 4. Are we crazy to think we can fit this all into the space available? Urban living demands that we try! :) Please feel free to make any and all suggestions. We're willing to spend a few thousand dollars upfront and more later if needed. Regards, and thanks for reading!