Here's my second stab...

[ChuckU]

After getting some feedback and realizing that a freestanding structure might be a better answer than finishing a garage that may not be up to rennovations, this is what I come with on the first pass. What I'd like to do is have a garage built where I could put storage upstairs and a studio downstairs. I'm thinking a foundation four feet above grade. Then framing with 8' stock. This would give me 12' before the roof rafters. In the studio, 9-foot ceilings. In the loft part, allowing 12" thickness for floor, I'd have 2-foot knee walls.

 

[John Sayers]

That looks good ChuckU - excellent first draft - what problems do you have with it??

cheers
john

 

[ChuckU]

Well John, no real problems. Unfortunately, I won't be able to install plumbing, so a toilet is out. Not a huge setback since I'm planning on locating the building as close to the house as I can.

I'm hoping to avoid jackposts by running a steel I-beam as the main carrying stick.

I'm pretty happy with the relative sizes of the rooms and how the layout allows a lot of visibility. Hopefully I can pull off the slider to the outside as that would afford a great view to the woods behind my house.

I've modelled this in 3D and have access to CAD viewing software at work that allows real time walkthroughs, so I was able to 'see' how the rooms interact with each other. What one can see from the control room, live room, etc.

Glad you found no gross errors in the layout. I have a lot to do as far as treatments, materials, etc. You probably noticed I signed on to your website's BBS. I plan to bone-up on the nuts and bolts.

 

[Michael Jones]

Why is it that you can't install plumbing?
If gradient for wastewater is the problem, you can install a small "Grinder Pump".

All water from sinks and toilets is routed via gravity lines to an outdoor sump or wet well. When the water in the wet well reaches a certian level, a float actuated switch kicks on a pump, and the wastewater is pumped to a gravity main at the house where it flows downhill to the main in the street.

They don't cost much. That's what I ended up having to do at my studio. I had originally thought this was going to be a MAJOR installation, but its really quite simple and fairly inexpensive. For me it was a major convience having a kitchen and bath in the studio, and well worth the added expense, albeit minimal.

 

[ChuckU]

Michael, I'd like to discuss this further. I think I still have your email, or can PM.

 

[Michael Jones]

Sure, PM me, e-mail me at custom-music@austin.rr.com, or we can keep it public and discuss it here.
Either way, no matter.

 

[ChuckU]

Well, here's where I am now. I added a garage door that opens to the air lock. And the double doors have been replaced by a single. Staircase is in the same spot and studio is unchanged. Roof comes down in the front mostly for symmetry and aesthetics, but also storage.