How to become a professional studio designer/architect

[Gtr917punk]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations or suggestions on how to go about pursuing a career in studio design...

and i was hoping maybe i could get some advice from someone who ACTUALLY designs home or professional studios for a living.

I have a strong love for sound engineering and recording and have already attended trade schools (SAE) and i feel i have a fair amount of experience for my age (22). On the flip side, I also find an almost "love interest" feeling with architecture. Combine those two and whenever I walk into a studio thats very well laid out and designed both physically and cosmetically I am inspired. I want to note that I am definitely more interested in the design aspect and not the manual labor or construction process, meaning I would prefer to get with a client, see the space, design the space for them, then hire a construction team follow my designs and build it.

I guess my real question is... for someone who does studio design for a living:

What would you recommend I do to begin a career in studio design?
Should I attend college and get a degree in music? or architecture?
Should I look into other professions in the design/construction fields?
How did you get started in studio design?


I have a ton of questions, and any advice or comments would be awesome!

Thanks guys

[Ethan Winer]

I don't have a lot to offer, but I can tell you that the studio designers / architects I know are trained as architects. When you take on full responsibility for a studio build you're expected to know construction and isolation techniques, acoustic treatment, local zoning, plumbing, etc, and also have an aesthetic sense for design.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[johndykstra]

yeah, I'd say architech and some amount of engineering. you're going to need to know load requirements, along with all other code considerations. These are my guesses for a starting point.

[jhbrandt]

Yes. Architecture and Acoustics.

Here are a few links for you:
Architecture Rensselaer - Master of Science in Architectural Acoustics (M.S.Acoustics)
Acoustical Society of America - Acoustics and You
School of Architecture: Master of Science in Architectural Acoustics

Stanford University has various courses including:
Architectural Design Program - and many classes in physics/acoustics

have fun.

Cheers,
John

[audiothings]

We have a number of professional designers on this forum. Would anyone care to share how they gained the knowledge to get to this level? Thank you.

[gouge]

i think it depends on what it is you would like to achieve at the end of your studies.

if you are concerned with the design and acoustics of a space then architectural acoustics would be an option. (whether you need an architectural degree first in the USA i am not sure)

if you are concerned with design/planning, including building approvals, contract administration/project management then architecture would be an option.

maybe both are really where you would like to go?

i am sure that architerctural acousticians use architects when planning and approvals are required and i know that architects use acousticians when acoustics are involved.

[Jeffrey Hedback]

The first suggestion I have is for you to search www.Sweetwater.com and the interview with Russ Berger. Mitch Gallagher asks this very question and Russ eloquently answers in a manner not worth rephrasing.

As your question is asked, a studio designer first and foremost has to completely understand the functions of a studio and ensure/protect those functions to the very highest degree possible (within the given budget).

A studio designer is actually not (typically) a licensed architect or structural engineer. Typically, there is early involvement with local architect if permits are to be submitted. The studio designer does design the architecture, space planning, isolation, internal acoustics, systems and finishes BUT with partners. More and more all architect and engineering processes involve an "egoless" exchange of lead client role (this may extend from a structural engineer the client never meets to a wiring integrator that lives in the space for months). For a complete ground up facility, the studio designer has to be a quarterback and move the ball forward.

Today, there aren't many ground up facilities...more rennovations. But that is not really the point. The point is to have the ability to ask the right question, at the right time, in the right manner to get a great result.

I define the design process as the following:
1) discovery: understanding the clients needs, goals and existing factors
2) design concept: architecturally called te "program" or schematic design. This may be only plan view, but tells the story of form and function
3) documentation & developement: the blueprint process
4) actualization: making it real...bid review, through construction monitoring...lots of communication and support. Important to have clarity on the goals and set proper standards and expectations.
5) verification: did we meet the mark? In a remote situation, this could be simple phone call and questioning...all the way to multi-day acoustical measurements and refinements.

Every job follows that path and each category has the ability to be extremely minimal or vastly complex.

I hope this is helpful. Your passions are headed the right direction...do check out that Russ berger interview.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Hedback

The first suggestion I have is for you to search www.Sweetwater.com and the interview with Russ Berger. Mitch Gallagher asks this very question and Russ eloquently answers in a manner not worth rephrasing.

As your question is asked, a studio designer first and foremost has to completely understand the functions of a studio and ensure/protect those functions to the very highest degree possible (within the given budget).

A studio designer is actually not (typically) a licensed architect or structural engineer. Typically, there is early involvement with local architect if permits are to be submitted. The studio designer does design the architecture, space planning, isolation, internal acoustics, systems and finishes BUT with partners. More and more all architect and engineering processes involve an "egoless" exchange of lead client role (this may extend from a structural engineer the client never meets to a wiring integrator that lives in the space for months). For a complete ground up facility, the studio designer has to be a quarterback and move the ball forward.

Today, there aren't many ground up facilities...more rennovations. But that is not really the point. The point is to have the ability to ask the right question, at the right time, in the right manner to get a great result.

I define the design process as the following:
1) discovery: understanding the clients needs, goals and existing factors
2) design concept: architecturally called te "program" or schematic design. This may be only plan view, but tells the story of form and function
3) documentation & developement: the blueprint process
4) actualization: making it real...bid review, through construction monitoring...lots of communication and support. Important to have clarity on the goals and set proper standards and expectations.
5) verification: did we meet the mark? In a remote situation, this could be simple phone call and questioning...all the way to multi-day acoustical measurements and refinements.

Every job follows that path and each category has the ability to be extremely minimal or vastly complex.

I hope this is helpful. Your passions are headed the right direction...do check out that Russ berger interview.

And that is why Jeff is one of my favorite room designers out there. thumbsup
mmmmmmmmmmm not to say that some of the other guys don't kick some butt at it.

[audiothings]

The first suggestion I have is for you to search www.Sweetwater.com and the interview with Russ Berger. Mitch Gallagher asks this very question and Russ eloquently answers in a manner not worth rephrasing.

thank you very much jeffrey. that was a great 10 mins for me. impressed with sweetwater as well for putting out something like this without loading it with overwhelming propaganda.

[Gtr917punk]

first off guys thanks so much for all the replies so far! didn't expect to get anything so im overwhelmed by all the responses and great information!

john- thanks for those sites! definitely helps me know more about an actual academic path that i could pursue

jeff- big big big thank you for the sweetwater recommendation, awesome video! especially the last question! and thanks for bringing Russ to my attention, just google'ing that name has taught me so much already! your work looks great too and im sure sounds just as good! Abel G's studio just makes me smile every time i look at that room

keep the great info coming guys!

I really love this site and the community of people, awesome!

[gouge]

@ Gtr917punk

here are some examples of work involving quality architects.

nonzero \ architecture

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-...on/92907634502

[SörenHjalmarsson]

Here's a guide that might help.

YouTube - How To Build a Home Recording Studio

[Dange]

Here's my 2p (I'm not a studio designer though but am in the acoustics industry and am studying an MSc in acoustics)

I don't believe you'd need to become a fully qualified architect to become a studio designer. You'd almost be over qualified. I'm not sure about other places, but in the UK to become a qualified architect takes 7 years! You can do 3 yr degrees in architecture to become an architecture technician or similar. Architects aren't studio designers/acoustic experts that's where you come in.

Studio design is such a mix of skills that you almost need to be a jack of all trades. But I'd say that you need to be strong on your knowledge of acoustics, not sure on a course recommendation in the US though. The link to the architectural acoustics MSc looks good, it may concentrate on large room acoustics more, e.g. concert halls, but hopefully has a good balance with small room acoustics.

There are large companies which do acoustic engineering of performance spaces, such as Arup, Sandy Brown Associates (essentially what the BBC Acoustics research department became), Marshall Day etc. They will also do other acoustics things such as industrial noise control. Then there are the individual studio specialists, quite a few who hang around on here.

Two examples from the course I'm on. I know someone who has gone on to work for Arup. Andre Brito has also done the same course and he has his own company. The course Msc Audio and Acoustic Engineering | Masters Sound Engineering Courses | University of Salford

Andre's site - Online Acoustics - Architectural Acoustics. Small and large spaces. Churches, concert halls, recording studios. Acoustical diffusers. - Home
Arup (they did that small discrete concert hall on Circular Quay, Sydney, Aus.) - Acoustic consulting | Arup | A global firm of consulting engineers, designers, planners and project managers

[Dange]

....and oh yeah, experience is equally important as qualifications so get out there and see what you can get involved in..

[gouge]

Hi Dange

re Architects aren't studio designers/acoustic experts

i'm not sure i agree with half of that.

sure architects are not acoustic experts and i don't know an architect that would say they are but it also needs to be said that acoustic experts aren't architects. that's the fundamental conumdrum with studio design. that's also why leading firms have both disciplines in house or partnership with outside firms.

the reality is it needs both disciplines and skill sets to make a studio sing

gtrpunk mentioned an interest in architecture and an ambition to be able to write the brief, design a space that inspires, apoint the contractor and administer the contract. these things are all part of an architects/technicians training. yes it's unfortunate this will give him little knowledge to calculate acoustic requirements of a space. he can hire someone to deal with the acoustics.

same can be said if he studies acoustics he will have little knowledge to the architectural implications of his decisions. again, he can hire someone for the architecture.

so either avenue will give him the foot up he needs to get into the industry it all comes down to his passion and preferred path.

[Dange]

gouge, I think Jeffrey Hedback explained it best....

A studio designer is actually not (typically) a licensed architect or structural engineer. Typically, there is early involvement with local architect if permits are to be submitted. The studio designer does design the architecture, space planning, isolation, internal acoustics, systems and finishes BUT with partners. More and more all architect and engineering processes involve an "egoless" exchange of lead client role (this may extend from a structural engineer the client never meets to a wiring integrator that lives in the space for months). For a complete ground up facility, the studio designer has to be a quarterback and move the ball forward.

This is how all large or specialist construction works in my experience. I'm not an architect but I have specified construction of buildings related to sound insulation and internal surfaces for reverberation control etc. I can read building codes too. It works like Jeffrey says, an egoless exchange between me and the architect.

Just because you aren't an architect but an acoustic specialist doesn't preclude you from designing the aesthetics though. You would be able to design these very well with the knowledge of how they affect the acoustics.

There are such things as interior designers, but they come in varying shades. There are some who just throw a few soft furnishings about and paint the walls nice colours, then there are others who really work on the functionality of the space, getting everything right.

A combination of the latter with acoustics knowledge and sound engineering might be the ultimate for a studio designer.

[gouge]

Originally Posted by Dange

gouge, I think Jeffrey Hedback explained it best....



This is how all large or specialist construction works in my experience. I'm not an architect but I have specified construction of buildings related to sound insulation and internal surfaces for reverberation control etc. I can read building codes too. It works like Jeffrey says, an egoless exchange between me and the architect.

Just because you aren't an architect but an acoustic specialist doesn't preclude you from designing the aesthetics though. You would be able to design these very well with the knowledge of how they affect the acoustics.

There are such things as interior designers, but they come in varying shades. There are some who just throw a few soft furnishings about and paint the walls nice colours, then there are others who really work on the functionality of the space, getting everything right.

A combination of the latter with acoustics knowledge and sound engineering might be the ultimate for a studio designer.

dange,

i have no arguement with you about acoustics. but it isn't true to say architects don't or can't design studios.

i've done plenty of large and small prominent buildings both here and in the UK and worked with many acoustic engineers throughout those processes. and yes they have all been egoless relationships.

egoless relationships begin with a mutual respect of each consultants skill set.

anyways, i'm not here to argue. i'm here for the acoustic knowledge.

[avare]

Originally Posted by gouge

i have no arguement with you about acoustics. but it isn't true to say architects don't or can't design studios.

John Storyk who has designed some of the most famous studios is a professional architect.

Andre

[Dange]

Originally Posted by gouge

but it isn't true to say architects don't or can't design studios.

I've never said that. What I said is:

Architects aren't studio designers/acoustic experts that's where you come in.

The point I was trying to make is that you don't have to be an architect to deisgn a studio, but obviously being an architect doesn't preclude you from studio design either.

I believe there is space for someone who sits on both the acoustic side and the design side, a studio design specialist as it were. There are multiple routes to get there....architecture being one, acoustics being another, a combination of both probably being ideal (but long and costly!)

[Jeffrey Hedback]

Thanks Andre...I thought his partner (Walters) was the architect, which I believe she is. However, WSDG is an architecture firm as is RBDG.

[Dange]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Hedback

Thanks Andre...I thought his partner (Walters) was the architect, which I believe she is. However, WSDG is an architecture firm as is RBDG.

John Storyk is the architect - WSDG - John Storyk, AIA - Principal, Designer

This is a very good site to look through. For example the US team are all mainly architects, while the Europe Team are physics/acoustics/electronics people.

In RBDG, Russ isn't an architect, but has 2 in his team. RBDG - People

Takes allsorts to make a world.......or a studio

[Seamus TM]

Originally Posted by jhbrandt

Yes. Architecture and Acoustics.

Here are a few links for you:
Architecture Rensselaer - Master of Science in Architectural Acoustics (M.S.Acoustics)
Acoustical Society of America - Acoustics and You
School of Architecture: Master of Science in Architectural Acoustics

Stanford University has various courses including:
Architectural Design Program - and many classes in physics/acoustics

have fun.

Cheers,
John

I looked into RPI.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[gouge]

no worries dange, i understand.

i found this vacancy add for wsdg.

WSDG - Employment

i wondered what an audio technology specialist is???

maybe gtrpunks aes credentials?

[Rod Gervais]

Almost all of my work right now is studio design (have a few AV projects going as well) and for me the path was engineering first (multiple disciplines) then Architecture - and finally Room Acoustics.

Across the US the requirements for design of projects without a license vary - for example - in Connecticut I can design projects up to 5,000 s.f. (any type of building use or structure) while in Rhode Island I can't design anything other than a 1 or 2 family dwelling - not even a minor modification for an existing space.

In Manila I was able to design a brand new build-out for Hit Productions without the need for an architect.

So, in cases where an architectural stamp is required - I either partner up with an architectural firm - or the Owner is required to provide their own. In this case I provide the detailed drawings for them to incorporate into their final set.

As far as how to make it from "A" to "B" - there are a lot of different paths you can travel.

The path of least resistance is a formal education - which can be done in person at a university or (now with the advent of the internet) through online courses at an accredited university.

I (personally) would not find pursuing a degree in music necessarily the best route to travel to achieve your goal........ music theory is one thing - acoustical theory another altogether.

Another path to travel would be to study on your own - which has the advantage of allowing you to control the pace at which you learn - while perhaps taking just a few courses (if you needed to) in order to better understand what you need to "get there" (perhaps higher math as one example).

This path (however) does make it a little more challenging to to make a "name in the business".

Either way you look at it - all of the successful studio designers had to pay their dues one way or another - and even getting a degree has to be followed with working with someone who really understands the way things work to make it from "book knowledge" to the real world application of that knowledge.........

Stanford University has an excellent on line course available if you can meet the requirements for existing education (which is not to say formal training - but rather if you can pass the stringent testing they have to prove you can keep up with the curriculum).

BTW - Jeff's post was a great one..........

[andrebrito]

I think you can have different backgrounds to become a Studio Designer but ultimately my suggestion is really to take a Bachelor or a Master in Acoustics Enginnering since it will enable you a more in-depth knowledge in acoustics apart from the "Studio Design" world.

Studio Design is such a small business in the acoustics world

You DON'T learn to design a studio in a degree but you learn the basis for it.