Advice and tips on detached studio building project on a tight budget.

[YorkshireBloke]

Hi all,

I am building a timber structure in my back garden - 5 x 3 mtrs internal dimensions, no windows - it is being created for an alternative use initially, but in the next few years will be available to become a photography studio for me.

I know that possibility is a real privilege - we aren't wealthy and the project has taken a day per weekend most weeks for 18 months (and a big reason that I haven't taken as many pictures as I wanted!).

Many Forum members will have experience of studio work and some may have created a space - can I ask for your reflections and tips before my project is complete please?

1. The size is fixed but not yet the ceiling height - the building is sectional (a "log cabin" so can be raised if we decide now).

2. The electrics are not installed, from the mains supply in from the house, or internally including no the electric distribution board/fuse box or sockets etc.

3. I have been incredibly lucky to pick up a set of Bowens Highlight rails and 3 x pantographs - all working

4. More risky I have also acquired a large amount of old, heavy but working Strobe flash - again at basically no cost but lots of messing about to transport and store - I will be able to use the kit in a relative's double garage in the interim.

For those who have made a studio what went well? What would you have liked to do but couldn't?

For those who have used a studio, what was good, what not ideal?

Thanks in advance - I never thought that I would have this opportunity and really want to get it as right as my budget will allow.

Robert

 

[Ian Grant]

You need to check the regulatins, maximum height is 4m for a dual pitch roof, 3m for flat, so go for dual pitch as you probably need the height. Insulate as well as you can, including the foor, my darkroom floor floats on polystyrene, critical in the winter, it helps keep the room warm, My walls are also battened & lined with polystyrene boards, then plaster board on top, so it's actually cool in this summers heat. Cooler than the house.

Of course you could add the insulation later, to spread thecosts. My darkroom is 13ft 2" x 12ft 2" so slightly smaller, I think insulation was close to£1600, so notcheap and that was 12 years ago. I have stone & breeze blck walls, I assume your's will be wood, so isulation will be even more important for winter use.

You will need a power supply, the two previous owners of my house were electricians so electrics were already fitted, with a fuse box. That would be an additional cost and the armoured cable if down the garden. Then there's water and darinage if you also ise as a darkroom.

Ian

 

[Camerashy]

A gambrel roof maybe an option.

 

[YorkshireBloke]

You need to check the regulatins, maximum height is 4m for a dual pitch roof, 3m for flat, so go for dual pitch as you probably need the height. Insulate as well as you can, including the foor, my darkroom floor floats on polystyrene, critical in the winter, it helps keep the room warm, My walls are also battened & lined with polystyrene boards, then plaster board on top, so it's actually cool in this summers heat. Cooler than the house.

Of course you could add the insulation later, to spread thecosts. My darkroom is 13ft 2" x 12ft 2" so slightly smaller, I think insulation was close to£1600, so notcheap and that was 12 years ago. I have stone & breeze blck walls, I assume your's will be wood, so isulation will be even more important for winter use.

You will need a power supply, the two previous owners of my house were electricians so electrics were already fitted, with a fuse box. That would be an additional cost and the armoured cable if down the garden. Then there's water and darinage if you also ise as a darkroom.

Ian

Thanks Ian,

Re 4 metre height - is that about permitted development?

All points valid and well made, thanks!

Robert

 

[Ian Grant]

You need to read the regulaions, the height restrictions, and also size, vary depending on where in the garden. next to the house is for instancee. If you want to do something different then you'd need planning permission. A google search and you can see the regulation, often on sites selling garden buildings. Here's the Which page.

A bit of lateral thinking and you coul increase the height by going down below ground level

Ian

 

[Nas]

I’ve done this but it was nearly 20 years ago and I think building regs have changed. Check if you can build on your boundary line, I could but now it might be up to a metre from it.
A lot depends on what kind of photography and light modifiers you want to use. Tall boom arms require height. A pitched roof is nice but obviously it’s highest in the middle.
Personally I think having north facing windows is better than zero daylight. It’s easy to black them out if you need to. Daylight is free and can be beautiful when used right. Also good for ventilation.
Allow some space for storing equipment, shelving/racks and other space for using to set up your shot. Four double sockets should be plenty. Extension leads can be used if you need more now and again.
I painted the walls white but if I was doing it again I’d use mid grey.

 

[YorkshireBloke]

Hi Nas,

Great points - about the mid-gray paint especially, cheers.

Robert

 

[YorkshireBloke]

A gambrel roof maybe an option.

Hi,

The option of a no -pitched roof (single slope - is that a gimbrel roof??) is being considered - would mean not using existing materials + structure is designed for pitched roof.

Could give a smoother surface if boards are used, good for rubber roof installation.

Robert

 

[Petrochemist]

You need to read the regulaions, the height restrictions, and also size, vary depending on where in the garden. next to the house is for instancee. If you want to do something different then you'd need planning permission. A google search and you can see the regulation, often on sites selling garden buildings. Here's the Which page.

A bit of lateral thinking and you coul increase the height by going down below ground level

Ian

Permitted heights are less close to the property boundary, but I gather relate to the highest bit of adjacent ground my darkroom/shed makes use of this as the ground level at the back is about 2 foot higher than at the front - it's partly below ground level...