Amsterdam Mastering - construction thread

[Darius van H]

I'm happy to be able to start this thread, which will document the construction of my new mastering studio in Diemen (a suburb of Amsterdam)

This thread will be pretty mammoth as I intend to post lots of photos of this high-end build, so check back here regularily for updates.

The designer will be along shortly to give some technical info about the design.

Background to the project:

September 2007: With the arrival of my baby daughter I decided it was time to relocate my studio closer to my home (in Amsterdam). The search for a suitable building began, and I also began talking with various designers in the EU and US.

January 2008: A building was purchased and a designer contracted: Thomas Jouanjean of NORTHWARD Acoustics

Jan 08……August 08: Plans were drawn up and negotiations started with various building companies. Eventually I settled on this company, which specializes in precise, interior work. J van der Marel Constructing & Interiors

Ok, let’s get this madness going with some photos and plans and things.

Studio - top view - interior size = 42m2




side view




Building - front




Building - side




Building - inside 1 ceiling height = 6m




Upstairs - future edit room....let's not mention the carpet! - doh!

[Darius van H]

Building - inside 2




Studio in place

[Jaques Beraques]

Nice!!!!

And a roll-up door!!!

Amsterdam!!!

[silverdisk]

Thanks for posting, looks amazing!!!! Any chance you would discuss the acoustic treatments they designed?.... from the plans it looks like several layers of 703 type insulation at the back?

[Airshow Mike]

Darius,
Congratulations on the new space! It looks like it will shape up to be a beautiful mastering room.

I will follow your progress as I continue to post updates on our (Airshow's) new studio construction.

Let's see who finishes first. Just Kidding!

I wish you the best of luck.

-Mike

[finetuner]

Congratulations Darius.
With the building (high ceiling, yes), location and the fact that you dare to invest in such an endeavor in these times. "What do you mean, bad times for record industry ?"
Way to go and thanks for sharing the pics.

Maybe i can come over for a chat and grand tour some day ... then we'll finally meet in person. I'm sure Wim will be interested as well.

Good luck!

[Lagerfeldt]

Looks very cool!

[mxeryus]

Hi Darius,
Congratulations and keep us posted!

[explorer]

Congratulations. Looks like a great space!

[Tom H]

Wow, perfect place... and Amsterdam is a much better place than Hilversum!


Looking forward to this thread. thumbsup

[livingstone]

congrats Darius
looking at the top & side view i can immediatly reconise the touch of a talented man !
Thomas is great !!

best choice !!

[joerod]

Me likes what I sees...

[Darius van H]

Thanks guys!

@Airshow Mike: indeed!................should be interesting!

Here's some photos of the space with the 2 walls removed (one was a floor to ceiling wall creating a storage area, the other was a darkroom on the first floor (no, it wasn't a gay club before i bought it, it was a photo studio!)

[Darius van H]

The steel decking arrives, ready for the construction of the floating floor:

[Northward]

Originally Posted by silverdisk

Thanks for posting, looks amazing!!!! Any chance you would discuss the acoustic treatments they designed?.... from the plans it looks like several layers of 703 type insulation at the back?

Hi Silverdisk,

The massive bass trap in the back is indeed based on various layers of specific products, but it's not 703, it's a mix/sequence of many things.
Out of the outer wall / shell soundproofing, no rockwool is used in this design for internal acoustic correction. It's all high density paper cellulose based treatment. This bass trap system is called a "variable impedance trap". It basically uses various layers of various products, membranes and cavities that "filter out" and / or trap targeted frequencies.

I'll try and participate to the thread now and then when I have a bit of time.

Thomas @ Northward

[Darius van H]

Alrighty, here's some pics of the Sylomer (rubbery type material) being laid down. The sylomer isolates what comes above from the existing floor (more on that later!):

[Cortez]

Hey Darius,

Great idea to post the development of your new studio here! I will be checking it regularly.

Greetz,
Erik...

[Bruce Keen]

Looking good Darius.
It's great if you are able to find the time to show us the progression. It's also cool to know about the materials. A lot of stuff on the net is documented with US materials. The floor seems interesting.
I'll be pestering you along the way.

Cheers

[andrebrito]

This sounds like an awesome space, congratulations for Thomas on the design.

[Darius van H]

Erik, Bruce, Andre, thanks a lot!

Next step, laying the steel deck ready for the first layer of concrete

(Under the steel deck is 2 layers of OSB wood board, but i don't have a photo of that!)

[lowswing]

Darius is one of the best mastering engineers around here,
looking forward to work in the new place, it looks great!

[Darius van H]

Guy, thanks

Meanwhile, work has started in Brussels on the diffusers for the ceiling and back wall.

In total there will be 12 of these mothers!

[Glamdring]

Magnificent !

Keep the pics coming !

[Colonel Blues]

Awesome ! I'll keep awaken !

[Gie-Sound]

Maestro D,

Good to see it finally started
When are things scheduled to be ready?

Did you already figure out a new name?

[Darius van H]

Hey G,

Around 7-8 weeks should do it........the concrete needs to dry sufficiently because the oak floor will be glued directly on top - so that's a potential road-block. The contracter will measure the moisture in the concrete in about 2 weeks, then he'll be able to say for sure when the floor boards can be installed.

name: Amsterdam Mastering (good for the international clients )

[Darius van H]

Next: The first layer of concrete has been poured:

[Geert van den Berg]

Congrats! The building looks awesome, and judging from the studio build pics, it looks like it's going to be impressive!

[inlinenl]

Whow !! you can't go on a decent holiday these days or Darius start really rocking !!!
Great looking building ... right place for the right man ... enjoy Darius ...

[Amstel]

Congratulations Darius!