It's Begun!

(Third in a series. If you're here for the first time and would like the whole story, you might want to start with the first post.)

At long last, real work has started! The demising wall has been completed.



(Becky is checking out the light through what will be her office window.)

Plumbing has been roughed in prior to pouring of the slabs.


And formwork is underway.


Slab pouring begins next week. A note of interest for fellow studio and building geeks; each studio and control room will rest on its own slab. ("Monolithic slab" is the term I've heard used by our experts. Sounds impressive, doesn't it?)

From the beginning of the design phase, our priority has been to achieve superb acoustics and the best sound isolation possible - within the constraints of the space and our budget. Since sound can transmit through concrete (especially low frequencies) the slab for every room will be isolated from that of the adjoining space. Slab thickness is doubled at the edges to support the weight of the sand-filled cinder block walls which will form the basic structure for each studio and control room. Slabs are poured first for the hallways and common areas, with the rest to follow. And since floors in all studios will be floated to isolate microphones from ground vibrations, those slabs will be poured at a lower elevation so that all floors in the facility are flush.

So far, so good. Becky seems pleased.


That's an update on the technical side of progress. Now let's turn to the aesthetic aspect. I'd like to introduce you to the latest member of the new studio team - Bobbie Cox. When we started looking ahead to what the finished studio would look - and more importantly, FEEL like, I quickly realized that my interior design sensibility is sorely lacking. That's where Bobbie comes in. She's a terrific interior designer, and she's helping us make sure the new space is as beautiful as it is functional. She proves once more...if you want it done right - hire professionals! If you'd like to learn more about Bobbie and her company, Custom Dragonfly, here's the link:

www.customdragonfly.com

Until next time!