Meeting the architect

This is a write-up of the meeting I had with Jamie the architect on Thursday 03/05/2012.  I've basically typed up what I wrote in my journal.

The meeting was with the architect - Jamie - and the college people - Jamie Holman, Andy Piper, James, Catherine etc. - and a representative from a Stage Services company called nStage (I think his name was David). 

The meeting was primarily about the new centre and sound-proofing the recording studio (lower ground floor) and the rehearsal studios (first floor).  There were many smaller issues i.e. window looking into recording studio (sound implications); door costs (three metre high soundproof double doors cost £10,000); one of the studios is going to be a metre shorter than the current one (Andy was saying that they are already struggling as it is but the architect maintained that it would actually be wider than it currently is. At any rate, adding more space to it will have a knock-on effect elsewhere.  Accessibility will have to move which would then mean that there is more floorspace which would mean that there is surplus floorspace to specification).  

The architect was saying that the studios would be raised on seperate slabs to maximise the soundproofing.  They were also saying something about parrallel walls not being as effective for soundproofing as walls with a slant - fifteen degrees minimum.  When I left, there was an issue about high ceilings being useless; James was saying that it would be beneficial to install a mezzanine but the architect was saying that this also acts as additional floorspace.

Overall, I enjoyed the meeting.  I didn't find it boring at all and was actually quite intrigued to learn that not everything lies with the architect.  He draws up the plans and has to work to floorspace specifications.  Meanwhile, space-users such as Andy and Jamie will push for space which means he has to redraw plans.  Then there are resource managers like Catherine who keep an eye on the funds and endeavour to spend as less as possible.  From the meeting, I found out that not everything is an architect's fault.  That big television in the Beacon Centre might be the work of someone else. 

I am intending to attend more of these meetings because it would be beneficial for me to see what I will have to put up with when I become an architect. 

Apologies for any spelling errors.