Attic Studio build in the offing

I'm back! Was posting a few months ago in the design forum about our project studio in an unfinished attic of an old victorian house. Popped for an architect/structural engineer and we have the plans. I've been noting the recent posts about bonus rooms and other elevated structures so I ask this question knowing full well I'm in the realm of less than perfect compromises... The good news is my architect came up with a way to remove the ceiling ties raising the room height to about 11 feet at the peak and open up our dormers from 6 ft to about 8 ft. I know I'll have to treat it but now there's some vertical room to work with. It's gonna be a lot of wood and joists but it should be a cool space. Of course the roof is vented with a ridge vent so we have the classic problem of "not enough space for a true two-leaf system." Which brings me to my question. The architect's spec simply has one layer of drywall below the insulation attached directly to furring strips on the rafters. My question: Is there any advantage to using RC and/or double drywall with one leaf? In this compromised situation? Kendale was kind enough to put together this sketchup for me. We're also contemplating moving the 2nd floor ac unit out of the attic completely to a closet on the 2nd floor, and either using mini-splits or a second set of ducts for the attic...this should allow us to go all the way back to the wall and expand the central booth to 9.5 ft deep with the control room and live room in the 15 ft deep range. Thanks, Chipal

Aloha, Hey, congrats on getting the plans done. :wink: Here's another view of the Skp file. Try clicking on "camera" and then click on "perspective." That will give you a less distorted image than the "parallel" setting. By the way, did your structural engineer ever confirm that the attic structure was able to support the studio build out? Looking forward to the build phase & photos! Aloha 8)

Hey Kendale, How's it going - you are ever vigilant on this site, eh? Thanks again for the ideas! There was a bit of delay there when we decided to do a new roof before sinking the money into the area underneath. Complete tear-off and had to deck the whole thing due to the original shake shingles and old funky decking with 2" spaces between the planks. Looked pretty scary when the shingles came off - see right through the roof to the other side. Like buying a cheap car. Project creep, I think they call it. Now waiting for the contractor's estimate for the structural reinforcement/roof insulation phase along with the HVAC quote. We do have the load tolerances all worked out - might have to get approval for that second layer of drywall if it's worthwhile. We're sistering joists in live and booth areas to maximize headroom and laying new joists on top of the existing floor in the control room. There is a chance we may do two leaf construction in the booth/control area. It would be nice to have at least one space well isolated from the neighborhood noise (fairly quiet but the odd delivery truck, dog barking, guy with a saw.) And now that we may be able to make that space larger and more useful...hmmm. The glass doors will be another compromise. Saw John Sayers' recent post about high-rise sliding doors in Australia. Has anyone ever found the equivalent in the states? Chipal

Aloha,

How's it going - you are ever vigilant on this site, eh? Thanks again for the ideas!

Too much time on my hands, maybe? NOT! :shock: :lol: Actually, it's been pretty busy lately, but hanging around on the forum is a bit relaxing (usually.) Glad to hear you've got things worked out, and managed a bit more room to boot. Haven't seen any responses to John's post but if I do, I'll be sure to post it here. In the meantime, here's a few links: Door links - http://www.overly.com/door/index.cfm?curPage=acoustical http://www.doors-ambico.com/news/wood_doors_stc50.asp http://www.doors-ambico.com/news/pair_door.asp http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/prod ... l_kits.asp http://www.pella.com/products/stormdoor ... ucts/storm http://www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/ ... 2951372828 Hope these help, Aloha 8)

Chipal wrote:

Project creep, I think they call it.

"Scope creep." ;-)

shake shingles and old funky decking with 2" spaces between the planks

Typical building practice for a shake roof...many years ago. The fact that you now have a "real" roof system should have made a sonic change in your work area already....more sound left in the room. Just because we don't know what it is doesn't mean it doesn't have a purpose:) Brien

Aloha, One more door link to add to the list :wink: http://www.industrialacoustics.com/usa/ ... /index.asp Aloha 8)

very nice site Kendale... 8)

Now we all love the odd coincidence, but one of my real close friends is IT manager at iac UK!!!!!!!!!! 7 miles up the road!!!!!!!!! They will almost certainly be supplying my soundlok doors!!!!! Would you believe it. Small world. Regards, Lou. 8)