Crazy idea for a studio! Will it work?

[Axeplyr]

Hi all, first post. My name is John, I'm a guitar player who dabbles in home recording. My job as a field engineer (defense) has made it hard for me to enjoy my hobby over the last few years, but I'm getting ready to locate to OKC and buy a home and have mulled over various approaches for a home studio/jam room. My biggest priority is sound damping so I don't drive the wife crazy.

Property values in OKC will make it very easy for me to buy my dream home and a few acres of land, so I could buy a big house and soundproof a room; however, I got to thinking. Here's my idea, let me know if you think it's crazy!

There's a company that builds basements in OKC using the latest techniques. They guarantee a structurally sound, long-lasting structure formed from poured concrete (8" thick walls), sealed in polyurethane for moisture-proof, leak-proof construction. Keep in mind I'm buying a prebuilt house, and OKC houses don't tend to come with basements. Obviously building a basement in an existing house is not really cost-effective (if it's even possible), so I got to thinking; why not build a basement without a house on top?

In other words, if I have a few acres of land, pick a spot not that far from the house, dig a hole about 12' deep, build an 8' (ceiling) x 12' (width) x 20' (length) basement (close to "gold" dimensions), add a concrete slab for a ceiling, and put a couple of feet of topsoil on top.

Of course there are other things that must be considered. Air conditioning/heating, access, electricity, but I'm sure there are innovative ways of dealing with these issues.

Ultimately, I think this is an interesting solution and would certainly be completely soundproof!

It also seems that costs are not that unreasonable ($15-20 per square foot), and it could double as a storm center for those crazy OKC tornados.

What say you?

 

[cabbages]

i really like your idea. i might be a dreamer but that sounds quite credible to me. i'd love to have something like that, but i'm at sea level in florida.

 

[Axeplyr]

i really like your idea. i might be a dreamer but that sounds quite credible to me. i'd love to have something like that, but i'm at sea level in florida.

At least you're in Florida and not OKC! Definitely worth the tradeoff. My wife's dream is to live in the Fort Walton Beach area - she grew up there.

It might be dreaming, and I can think of some limitations. Once built, you definitely can't expand - so you have to get it right the first time. No windows obviously, of course this is a plus and a minus.

Ideally, I'd like to get to the studio from the house - so there'd have to be a trapdoor/tunnel to the studio. This means it has to be very close to the house, and there has to be some floor tear-up in one of the rooms. Mayble close to the garage would be ideal, tearing up the garage floor is less invasive.

Other than that, I think cost effectiveness is the final determinant. Luckily, soundproofing needs are already addressed - so finishing work is primarily cosmetic and tuning.

 

[mean_dorris]

how would you get the slab poured, as a ceiling?
concrete is very brittle, you'd need some reinforcing steel in there for it to be structural.
also, what would hold it up along the edges?

 

[Axeplyr]

how would you get the slab poured, as a ceiling?
concrete is very brittle, you'd need some reinforcing steel in there for it to be structural.
also, what would hold it up along the edges?

All of those details are handled by the company that builds the "basement". I would not be taking this on as a DIY project - I would hire the company to excavate, design, and build the structure. I would probably do the finish work.

I know that they use aluminum forms and pour solid concrete for the walls.

The company is called Basement Contractors, Inc. in Edmond, OK, and they have a website at basementcontractorsok.

 

[thane1200]

I personally LOVE the idea! My girlfriend and I have dreamed of something very similar for our "dream home," complete with tunnel to the main house.

 

[pk1]

theres an even quicker way for you to do this, you could buy a reinforced steel shipping container, they are huger, or get two of them, dig the hole out, put support pads on the ground with a layer of large and small gravel for drainage and soil seperation, coat the exterior in a 2 layer sealent and protector, and then cover, but also have a stairway that goes down into the units built as well. if you went with two containers you could take the one side of each opposite container, weld them together and also put some small rsj's accross sections as reinforcement. then you have even more room. now with the soil pressing against the sides and roof you wouldnt have issues with resonance of the walls as the soil dampens all the vibrations, leaving you to board and treat the interior at your pleasure.

i know of several people here in the uk who have done that very same thing and it works, the rooms are very acoustically sound.

 

[tc4b]

theres an even quicker way for you to do this, you could buy a reinforced steel shipping container, they are huger, or get two of them, dig the hole out, put support pads on the ground with a layer of large and small gravel for drainage and soil seperation, coat the exterior in a 2 layer sealent and protector, and then cover, but also have a stairway that goes down into the units built as well. if you went with two containers you could take the one side of each opposite container, weld them together and also put some small rsj's accross sections as reinforcement. then you have even more room. now with the soil pressing against the sides and roof you wouldnt have issues with resonance of the walls as the soil dampens all the vibrations, leaving you to board and treat the interior at your pleasure.

i know of several people here in the uk who have done that very same thing and it works, the rooms are very acoustically sound.

That's quite a project. I would love to see pictures!

 

[guido #2]

Man- I've often day-dreamed about that same thing! (buried shipping containers).
I always wondered if I could get away with that where I live, in the city.
That would be the cat's pajamas!!

 

[homestudioguy]

You'd also have a tornado/bomb shelter!

 

[Axeplyr]

I personally LOVE the idea! My girlfriend and I have dreamed of something very similar for our "dream home," complete with tunnel to the main house.

Exactly my plan! The entrance would probably pop up in the garage, since I think I'd be reluctant to tear into another room in the house.

theres an even quicker way for you to do this, you could buy a reinforced steel shipping container, they are huger, or get two of them, dig the hole out, put support pads on the ground with a layer of large and small gravel for drainage and soil seperation, coat the exterior in a 2 layer sealent and protector, and then cover, but also have a stairway that goes down into the units built as well. if you went with two containers you could take the one side of each opposite container, weld them together and also put some small rsj's accross sections as reinforcement. then you have even more room. now with the soil pressing against the sides and roof you wouldnt have issues with resonance of the walls as the soil dampens all the vibrations, leaving you to board and treat the interior at your pleasure.

i know of several people here in the uk who have done that very same thing and it works, the rooms are very acoustically sound.

I'd be open to this idea, but I have to determine the most cost-effect, durable means to approach the concept. I was going with the "basement without a house" approach because there is a reputable company in OKC who knows the ins and outs. The shipping container idea might work just as well, but I'd have to find people who could help me realize that approach.

That's quite a project. I would love to see pictures!

Yes, pics would be great!

Man- I've often day-dreamed about that same thing! (buried shipping containers).
I always wondered if I could get away with that where I live, in the city.
That would be the cat's pajamas!!

You'd also have a tornado/bomb shelter!

Ha - in Oklahoma, we need tornado shelters!

Well, thus far the replies indicate that it's a great idea - but I guess no one else has actually done it eh? Maybe I'll be the first.

 

[greyharmonix]

i've always had a dream of doing something like this. it'd be like my bat cave.

i hope you do it and put up some pics of the process!

 

[Jeff_D]

I think, I'd do this... Build the basement just like you would for a normal house- leave the foundation stick above grade a foot or two (ya know, like a normal house). Then, build a wood truss roof on top of that.

If you were to do a concrete slab roof and bury it underground, I'd be concerned about it leaking. The problem with structural concrete slabs is they use steel re-inforing in the slab. When the steel gets moist over time, it tend to rust. When metal rusts it expands. When it expands it creates problems with the concrete.

The nice thing is, if you ever decided to build an actual building on top of the basement (like a guest house or garage) all you'd have to do is tear off the trusses. Hell, you could probably even re-use them later...

My 2c.

 

[Axeplyr]

I think, I'd do this... Build the basement just like you would for a normal house- leave the foundation stick above grade a foot or two (ya know, like a normal house). Then, build a wood truss roof on top of that.

If you were to do a concrete slab roof and bury it underground, I'd be concerned about it leaking. The problem with structural concrete slabs is they use steel re-inforing in the slab. When the steel gets moist over time, it tend to rust. When metal rusts it expands. When it expands it creates problems with the concrete.

The nice thing is, if you ever decided to build an actual building on top of the basement (like a guest house or garage) all you'd have to do is tear off the trusses. Hell, you could probably even re-use them later...

My 2c.

That's a good idea - but I wanted the stealthiness (not to mention sound isolation) of a completely submerged structure. It sounds like you've identified a weakness in my idea though - I'll have to research this further. Your suggestion just might be the better option, despite my original intentions.

 

[Jeff_D]

Well, then put the slab a few inches above ground level. Then you can build a garage on it later. You can hide it with leaves or something.

 

[Jeff_D]

Doh, double post.

 

[Axeplyr]

Well, then put the slab a few inches above ground level. Then you can build a garage on it later. You can hide it with leaves or something.

Yeah, I could do that. It would probably be pretty close to the house though, since I don't want to have to pay for a super-long tunnel to my studio/bat cave.

Your proposal might work if I actually do decide to build an outbuilding though... why not just build an external barn/woodworking shop and hide the studio underneath? Still go with the tunnel concept for access from home, but the tunnel would need to be longer so as not to have to build the barn so close to the house...

 

[RejectionNinja]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the greatest advantage of this plan.

Yeah yeah, you got a tornado shelter. You and half of the great plains.

But you got ALL YOUR MUSIC GEAR already stored in your tornado shelter. Now THAT'S smart thinking.

 

[Axeplyr]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the greatest advantage of this plan.

Yeah yeah, you got a tornado shelter. You and half of the great plains.

But you got ALL YOUR MUSIC GEAR already stored in your tornado shelter. Now THAT'S smart thinking.

Great point!

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Of course there are other things that must be considered.

Yea, like Building codes. I would suggest, prior to any planning, consult with your local BID(Building Inspection Department). It will prevent wasting time and money by knowing EXACTLY, what is required, where its required, and when. As in PERMITS and INSPECTIONS.
fitZ