John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Hey all,

I've been reading this forum with great interest as I am currently drawing up business plans to start my own commercial rehearsal studio.

I had thought of trying to DIY my studio before realising that, for the amount of money getting spent and the commercial nature of the venture, getting professional advice is the only way to go.

Nevertheless, I still like the idea of project managing the build. I've project managed a fairly large home renovation in the past and quite enjoyed the process. I am aware, however, that project managing a rehearsal studio build is a big step up and so I'm trying to get a feel for whether it's something I would be able to handle or whether it's better to get somebody experienced to do it.

Here is how I'm envisaging the overall process of getting the build underway: 1) get a studio designer to draw up the plans; 2) have these checked by an architect/structural engineer and signed off with the local authorities; 3) get quotes from the various trades; 4) engage the various trades and begin construction.

I know a good builder that I've worked with in the past and I think I have a good grasp on what's required for the framing, plastering etc.

The part that I'm still confused about is all the little details which make the room soundproof i.e. silencer boxes for ventilation, how to set up the wiring, lighting, doors etc. I'm wondering to what extent these details are covered in the plans which the studio designer will draw up. Will I be able to simply give those to the various trades and they will know how to implement them or is it something that the trades themselves should know. For example, should I make sure to find a HVAC person who knows how to build silencer boxes?

Even if the various trades knew what they were doing, it seems to me that the project manager still needs to be the one to coordinate between them and to ensure they don't work at cross purposes. More importantly, perhaps, I'm thinking there needs to be an expert in these things just to quality control the whole thing and make sure the soundproofing details are handled correctly.

What do people recommend?

Cheers,
Simon

That's a really good bunch of questions, Simon!!! It's clear you really have thought this through, and understand what goes into a construction project. Homework: done!

Here is how I'm envisaging the overall process of getting the build underway: 1) get a studio designer to draw up the plans; 2) have these checked by an architect/structural engineer and signed off with the local authorities; 3) get quotes from the various trades; 4) engage the various trades and begin construction.

Exactly right. That is, indeed, the usual way it works. Commonly there's a bit of back-and-forth between the architect and the designer, sorting out details such as local code requirements, structural, unusual materials, etc., then the architect presents the plans to the local authorities for approval, permits, etc., and it goes over to the contractor, still supervised by the architect, and often also with the designer still in the loop, to solve issues that come up along the way. But your overall plan is correct.

The part that I'm still confused about is all the little details which make the room soundproof i.e. silencer boxes for ventilation, how to set up the wiring, lighting, doors etc. I'm wondering to what extent these details are covered in the plans which the studio designer will draw up.

That's between you and him! And every project is different.

When I do a studio design for my customers, I quote for only the parts of the job they need me to do. If they already have an HVAC contractor with plenty of proven experience in HVAC design for studios, then they don't need me to do that, so I don't need to charge them for it. On the other hand, if they don't have such a contractor, then I will include that in the design, increasing the fees accordingly. Ditto for electrical, plumbing (if necessary), and most other aspects. Normally I don't do the Bill of Materials, for example, as that's the project managers job. But if the customer isn't up to it, then I will do it, for an extra fee.

A lot also depends on if it is a "ground-up" project, starting with just a blank piece of planet earth and empty sky above, or doing something inside an existing building. The intended studio use also has a bearing on fees: if it is just some basic treatment for an up-and-coming artist in his bedroom, then that's one thing, but if it is for a full-blown multi-room faculty that needs precision acoustics and world-class rooms, then that's another thing. For example, if there is a Foley stage or ADR stage, or a mastering suite, or other special situations, that would be a different fee again. Those are very specialized.

In other words, it is variable, and the designer can do as much or as little as you need. Each project is different, and you'll discuss that with your designer up-front, before you start.

Will I be able to simply give those to the various trades and they will know how to implement them or is it something that the trades themselves should know.

It is not necessary that the tradies know how to design a studio! It's not even necessary that they need to understand all the details of what they are building, or why the specs are the way they are (but it does help). As long as they can understand the model and the drawings, and know how to build what they see, that's what really matters. It is important that they follow the plans in details, carefully, so I'd be looking for craftsmen who enjoy a challenge and work accurately, rather than just laborers waiting for their paycheck at the end of the week....

For example, should I make sure to find a HVAC person who knows how to build silencer boxes?

Not necessarily, know. He needs to know how to INSTALL them, yes, but he doesn't necessarily need to know how to design them.

Since HVAC is an integral part of the isolation system for the studio, it is better to have the studio designer do that for you, and then get the HVAC guy to look it over and check the math regarding the actual HVAC issues (flow rate. flow velocity, duct sizes, static pressure, sensible heat, latent heat, etc.) The designer won't usually spec the precise HVAC item for every point: that's the job of the HVAC contractor. The designer will just indicate the overall specs, and the contractor will go hunting for hardware that meet those specs.

Ditto for electrical: that's not so complicated, and any good electrician should be able to do that, with some caveats, and some extra conditions set by the designer.

Even if the various trades knew what they were doing, it seems to me that the project manager still needs to be the one to coordinate between them and to ensure they don't work at cross purposes.

Exactly. And since the designer is the one who understands the "what" and "why" of every item in the design, he should be in the loop too: The project manager should be updating him regularly, so he can check that the construction really is going as planned. Tradies have a habit of cutting corners, but studios have lots of critical areas where corners cannot be cut, so it's important that the project manager is on top of that, and coordinating with the designer, architect, and other trade contractors.

More importantly, perhaps, I'm thinking there needs to be an expert in these things just to quality control the whole thing and make sure the soundproofing details are handled correctly.

That is usually the designer. That's the way I do it, generally. And in most case it can be done by "remote control", without the designer needing to be on site. Most of my customers act as their own project managers, and they keep me updated with a stream of photos and written updates, every day or two, so I can see exactly what is going on, pick up on details, correct errors, make suggestions on better ways to do things, etc. I think John does it the same way, and so do most studio designers that I know. With modern technology, it isn't necessary for the designer to actually be there in person, which saves you a lot of money in fees for site visits! Many of the places that I have designed, I have never been to at all in person! Thanks to the Internet, Skype, cell phones, cameras, modern acoustic software, and suchlike, it really is perfectly feasible to do all of that remotely.

This is perfectly do-able, and is the way I commonly work with my customers, so you are certainly on the right track.

I hope it all works out for you! And I hope that my explanations (above) are useful in helping you decide how to proceed.


- Stuart -