So the space we are preparing is one big one warehouse. So obviously we need to build rooms and sets.  But of course you really only get one chance to do your build so it’s important to get it right.

You’ll have seen various posts earlier with the different ideas and schemes I’ve come developed over time.

In the planning there is a balance between maximising the usable area, but at the same time making sure the non-functional parts, like storage, dustbins, places to sit are also catered for.

In my case, because it is a very tall space (8 metres) building walls to the ceiling is not possible, so I am concerned about sound levels. We might need to install lots of soft sound-deadening materials in to keep the noise down.

As things have been progressing I have also been collecting images from the web for ideas for room sets, anything I like the look of – I might use it whole, or just use it for mood ideas.

Our viewing room is also in the same space (I really wish it would fit somewhere else but it doesn’t) so I have had to move the viewing room to make some separation between the viewing rom and the studios.

Apart from the fact I keep far too much junk, I also know that studios need store space, always more the you think.   What bugs me is not allocating square footage for the store,but it is the floor space required for access to the storage.  Part of my plan means store space runs along corridors meaning that no extra space is required for access and it acts as an additional sound barrier too.

My easy planning is to draw up the base plan of the studio floor in Photoshop.  Then I add new layers with coloured rectangles representing the different areas. The it was easy to use free-transform to adjust the spaces as required.

Once that was about how I wanted it, I then used the online planner freeplanner.com, which is a pretty good web service for this kind of work.

My next step was to take those plans into the actual space.   I marked out the walls on the floor with masking tape.  Like every battle plan, it failed when faced with the enemy.  It was quickly obvious that even though I had been generous with the corridor space it wasn’t enough and I had to give more.

This part is crucial, if you are faced with same situation of dividing spaces,mark it out as soon as possible.  Better still if you can get something physical to define the walls even better.

This is the last day before work actually starts, so wish me luck :)

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