The Bridge Recording Studio Build

[Greg Curtis]

More pics. It was raining last week, so a little slower than usual.

Girders are all up, and fully welded!



Cartage entrance is almost done.


Masonry along top of old walls is complete:




Views from above:





Next: Start building the walls, install glazing to the exterior!

Greg

[Greg Curtis]

I have a quote for 2 fire-rated windows, that will will be going into the wall that is part of the cartage entrance (also a fire escape route).

2- 3'8" X 5'2" windows are quoted at $7,800.

Looking for alternatives...


Greg

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[bassman]

How bout glass block? I believe they have a fire rating. not sure if its up to commercial codes there but worth a shot.

-bassman

[Greg Curtis]

Originally Posted by bassman

How bout glass block? I believe they have a fire rating. not sure if its up to commercial codes there but worth a shot.

-bassman

No go. Not fire-rated, unfortunately.

GC

[Clueless]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

No go. Not fire-rated, unfortunately.

GC

Huh? We're building with some glass block and we have choices up to 90 minute fire ratings. I don't think this is our vendor, but this is the idea. I think we're going with 3" solid glass block.

[Greg Curtis]

Originally Posted by Clueless

Huh? We're building with some glass block and we have choices up to 90 minute fire ratings. I don't think this is our vendor, but this is the idea. I think we're going with 3" solid glass block.

We asked our architect, and he said glass block was not up to our local code. But, I will look into this link and do some more digging. I don't want to wall up any windows.

Thanks for the link! Much appreciated.

Greg

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[Greg Curtis]

You guys are correct!

We have gone with glass block in the two ~3'x5' windows. Cost is less than $4k.

Thanks for the input!


Greg
\
,

[Greg Curtis]

All masonry is done, including the cartage door entrance, parapet matching, and wall extensions.



The lumber is in, and nailers are being installed on top of the beams as I type. Framing of the roof begins! More pics later this week, or next (going to CES on Friday).


Greg

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[Greg Curtis]

Rafters are up, and right now the 1 3/8" plywood is up, also. More pics later this week. Busy after CES!



Greg

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[Greg Curtis]

For you guys in cold climates, here's some shots taken yesterday. 85 degrees, light breeze, sunny.

Looking North from the rooftop. Those are the Verdugo mountains in the distance, about 1,600ft. high.


Looking NorthEast, you can see the skyline of Glendale, and Mt. Wilson looming through the light smog. Mt. Wilson is 6,600ft up. About a 45 minute drive away...


Here's a shot looking SouthWest towards Griffith Park. There's a strip club in that little red building!


Back to the action: Roof sheathing almost done. 1 layer of 1.5" board with another layer of 3/4" on top. really solid!



More later...


Greg

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[mikahanau]

I hate you greg!!!
Not because of the Studio! no!
Just because of the view you have when you go to the roof
You're a realy lucky guy
I wish you all the best for your projekt.
cheers
Mika

[Greg Curtis]

LOL. Thanks!

I'm thinking of putting a webcam up there...

Or a helipad

Or a party pad with hot tub.

Greg

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[mikahanau]

Or a party pad with hot tub.

You're the man
cheers
Mika

[True North]

Any updates Greg ??

Look like a very exciting project, thanks for sharing

[bassman]

you gotta have the rooftop deck! Do it now while the structure is exposed and you can get some steel up there and build a deck that can hold the orchestra you will be recording in there while they're on break!

Hell, when times are rough, rent the place out for parties....


-bassman

PS Glad the glass block worked out....

[Diggity_Dash]

i cant wait for the final product... its going to be real crazy... i know that its mad expensive too...

PMP Worldwide - The Future of Music Redefined

[Trev@Circle]

Wow! Amazing.

[mortenpilegaard]

Wauw!
I can´t wait to see more of this!

Keep us updated! - And good luck!

Morten.

[InSight]

We want an update already!!

[Greg Curtis]

I've been somewhat reluctant to post updates, since we are going into a highly competitive market, here in L.A. (Why give the competition any ammunition?) But I think I can go through with the external/structural buildout here, There's no trade secrets here, and because this kind of info is tough to find. And build-from-scratch commercial recording studios are extremely rare these days.

One thing I'd like to mention is that every single day there is some sort of problem, either with a drawing being incomplete, a subcontractor missing the mark, the government wanting something stupid, or any number of delays and frustrations. Every screw and nail comes with a big price, not only $$ but sweat and tears. I don't want to sound like a drama queen, but this sort of project really sucks the life out of you!

Anyway, here's where we are:

An old picture from down a side street. It looks pretty big from here!



This is current. This 30' high raised-roof portion will house the live room.



Looking South, inside. The shear walls are up. The 2 iso rooms will be under the lower ceilings (it's 12' to the bottom of the beam, btw) Thats drywall with a layer of steel on the back.



Looking North. The control room wall will be there, and the door to the mic locker will be right under the V-shaped supports. That's the big cartage entrance door on the left. The building is about 150' in length, btw.



This is the roof on the South end. The 2 iso rooms will be under this lower, original roof. The built-up pad is for the 2-ton iso room AC unit. The pad will have a 2" concrete layer to further isolate it from the structure.




Looking down from the high roof unto the low roof area (control room, mic locker, lounge, offices, baths). Nearly done with the extra layer of playwood. I added 2 new double roof drains to keep us dry inside! There will be 4 big AC units living up here.



Here's an example of a problem that happens: The drywaller did not butt the ends of the shear-board together, so there is a gap on every corner of the raised roof portion. The gap goes from the finished masonry to the roof, about 15' of gap. So we are going to have to solve this problem, because these holes are going to compromise isolation quite a bit. Luckily I was climbing around the site this weekend and spotted this. Otherwise it would have been plastered over.


Greg

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[Clueless]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

I've been somewhat reluctant to post updates, since we are going into a highly competitive market, here in L.A. (Why give the competition any ammunition?) But I think I can go through with the external/structural buildout here, There's no trade secrets here, and because this kind of info is tough to find. And build-from-scratch commercial recording studios are extremely rare these days.

Hold that thought...

One thing I'd like to mention is that every single day there is some sort of problem, either with a drawing being incomplete, a subcontractor missing the mark, the government wanting something stupid, or any number of delays and frustrations. Every screw and nail comes with a big price, not only $$ but sweat and tears. I don't want to sound like a drama queen, but this sort of project really sucks the life out of you!

I feel your pain! And now with snow in March!! In North Carolina!!!

Back to your first thought...I'm a big believer that transparency is the ultimate competitive weapon. If you've got great bones, don't be afraid to show 'em!

[Demonslave]

hundred thosand here a couple hundred thousand there, man I wish I had tha kind o dough! how much is this gonna cost total? 1.5 Mil?

[xitfactory]

Originally Posted by Demonslave

hundred thosand here a couple hundred thousand there, man I wish I had tha kind o dough! how much is this gonna cost total? 1.5 Mil?

I don't think its 1,5 mill, but quite a lot! maybe $800000?

[Trev@Circle]

Here's an example of a problem that happens: The drywaller did not butt the ends of the shear-board together, so there is a gap on every corner of the raised roof portion. The gap goes from the finished masonry to the roof, about 15' of gap. So we are going to have to solve this problem, because these holes are going to compromise isolation quite a bit. Luckily I was climbing around the site this weekend and spotted this. Otherwise it would have been plastered over.

Aw man. That is so annoying. I feel your pain! Had a similar issue recently where my bricklayer decided just to leave an inch wide airgap between two layers of concrete block. Had to make him pull it out and start again

[woodfoot]

Any news guys?

Really interested in this build

[Greg Curtis]

Stucco is on and curing! (7-10 days), then the third, and final, finish layer. The finish layer will have the final color mixed into it.

View from up on the front, low roof, South to the raised section.



View down, from the raised section, North. Looking at the low roof AC platforms. 4 in all, they will be insulated, and will hold a 4" cement pad which will help to dampen the vibrations. Springs will also be installed, along with fabric connectors and the usual studio isolation tricks. We had to quadruple the joists underneath these pads to hold the weight.



You can also see the added roof drains, 1/2" plywood sheeting, and extensive cricketing, which will solve the old roof's horrible drainage issues. Spending this money now will prevent surprises down the road, and pay off in the end.

We are done making our roof penetrations (not shown in pics), now. We are waiting for the drywaller to finish his other job before he can work on ours. it is worth the wait, as this guy's bid for drywalling just the inside of the raised section was nearly $25k less than the highest bid.

More pics later...

Greg

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[silverking]

Amazing Greg!
Huge project and lots of fine detail work always make the best threads......please do keep posting on your progress!

[Greg Curtis]

Stucco makes a mess. Here's a tiny bit:



But the result looks good:



Insulation is up in the live room's exterior walls. Next comes 2 layers of gyp. And a layer of heavy Lead sheet.



Here's the reinforcement need for 2 900lb AC units. (you can see earthquake-bracing, as well. And, the roof drain overflow and main pipes.) The open window will be the office's.



Next week will see the exit of the 1st contractor, and the start on the 5-month interior build-out!

Greg

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[silverking]

Is the large space all a single live room?
It's Abbey Road #3 size if it is!

[Keldog]

many thanks for taking the time to share this with us man.

Got it bookmarked and waiting for more....

oh...and sorry about the drool mess.