strange shape space with low ceiling

Hi everyone, I need help. I'm in currently excavating under my house in preparation to building a studio. I’m really wanting to do this properly the first time so I don’t have to adjust things later down the path. After consultation with structural engineers, I will have an area approx. 2100mm(H)x 4350mm(W)x 9750mm(L) – exact dimensions below in pictures. I do not want to use any space of the existing garage and I cannot put a door in the concrete arch – but adjacent to it is fine – says my local council. (the piers in the photos have been removed already!) I plan to record 4-5 piece music groups from jazz to rock bands (95dB) and ideally like to have a control room, a live room for instruments and iso for drums/vocals. The odd shape to the area makes my designs complicated. I’m finding that my low ceiling (2100mm/7’ at the bottom of the steel beam – 2300mm between beams) makes it especially difficult as I’m forced to use the widest ratio Sepmeyer and Louden ratios. (Can I use the beams to my advantage and put a higher ceiling in between the steel beams?) Any ideas? My nearest neighbors are somewhat blocked from the studio as I live on a slope and have 800mm of earth at the height of the retaining wall (which is 1100mm and 500mm in from the external walls of my house). My main noise concern is through the ceiling to the upper level and would love to keep sound transmission in this direction down to a minimum. Any ideas on reducing it? My total budget for the project (after the concrete and retaining wall has been built) is $12K AUD. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

How long does your contractor say it will be before the floor slab will be poured?

Brien, my contractor thinks the slab will be poured by the 2nd of Nov (end of this week). Current pic attached. Cheers Marty

That is wild Marty. So you guys took the columns out already? Did you have to install any new beams and if so, how did it get done? Heck for that matter, are you going to be able to pump in the mud or will you have to slide it down a chute into an open window:) I love this part of it...no turning back!@!!

can you post the sketchup file? as far as ceiling, depending on how much strength you have in the existing framing, you may be able to beef up the upper floor (from underneath) with drywall or MDF layers and then use RC on the joists to add the ceiling in between the large beams. then if the beams are spaced right, it may be possible to put them in between rooms, or they may need to be encased to avoid structure borne tranfer (flanking). however, before doing that, i'd recommend that once you get the slab done, take a bunch of measurements inside, upstairs, and outside to get a sense for how much sound is getting out. use bass and drum - live or recorded to provide plenty of low end.

Brien, yes columns are out and steel beams are in place (they're 180 PFC beams if that's any help) they are supported at either end and are bolted to the existing wood bearer - builders and engineers are great people! The mud will be piped in as it's adjacent to my garage! Glenn, Of course - the sketchup file is attached. I'll get busy measuring sound over the weekend! I've been able to change the position of the proposed entrance to the studio - It's amended in the attachment. Many thanks again. Marty

they're 180 PFC beams if that's any help

Sure, something like a 7" tall C shaped thing? Always curious to find out how folks get spanning and support situations resolved. That is far more interesting to me! So thank you for that,

maybe something like this works? you could make the CR smaller (in line with the proper ratios) to increase the size of the booth on the side.

Glenn, That's great. I'll be sure to keep posting the developments if you like. Many thanks agian Marty