I've been reading tons of discussions here. It's time to create my own build thread. Room dimensions are a snuggly (and fixed :( ) 11' wide by 19' long by 7'8" high. There's a 6 foot wide by 2' deep bump-out at one end, and an opening 6' wide along one long wall. Door is currently at the end with the bump-out. The original intent was to put a small wetbar/snack area in the 6-foot opening on the side wall. I think that's going to stay the course, but I'm open to modifications here.

Other considerations are a pair of windows on the other long wall. These will stay put, but will recieve either some nice velvet curtains, or a blackout shade of some sort. One thing this room HAS to accomodate is space for my drumset. Although this is technically a "dedicated theater" room, it's the only place in the house for the drums. My plan is to park them in the bump-out area at the back, on the same level as the riser. They need about a 5x6' footprint.

Mrs.Cush isn't too hot on two rows of seating, but there's some opportunity to change her mind on that. I think she'd rather have a big sectional couch or something. We'll see. Finding theater seats to fit that narrow space poses a bit of a challenge, so she might win.

No equipment purchased yet. I'm thinking an InFocus4805 with either a HTB anamorphic lens, or a DIY prism lens setup, shooting onto a big chunk of Sheerweave on a curved screen frame. Yes, I read Sandman's ENTIRE build thread. Wow! I'd love to do the illuminated speakers behind the AT screen. I'm thinking of some AT masking of some sort too. Mrs.Cush has in her head big velvet curtains, but I think I want something cleaner looking. Plus I want to FILL nearly the entire end wall.

Not sure on the audio kit yet. I'm thinking Axiom, being a Canuck and all, but that may change (the speaker selection-- not the citizenship! ) No real thoughts on what receiver I'll end up with, or video sources. THere's an xBox360 that will live in the room too. Equipment will all live in a rack mounted in a self-built cabinet over the bar area. Or maybe in a unit below the screen, but that's not my preference.

I've attached a preliminary room layout for reference. I'm not excited about how the door is situated, and the necessary walking room to get to the seating areas...so I'm defnintely open to suggstions here.

http://www.drumcharacter.com/CinemaCush/imgs/CinemaCush-prelim.png

Currently the room is all open studs (well, there's vapor barrier and R20 on the exterior walls. The ceiling is open. The floor is 5/8" OSB on 2x3 sleepers over concrete.


Here's my plan of attack:

1. rough-in electrical and low-voltage, 2" conduit to PJ
2. fix up HVAC lines to living areas above, and to theater area (in progress)
3. insulate ceiling with R20 fiberglass
4. drywall celing: single layer of 5/8"
5. insulate remainder of walls
6. drywall walls: single layer 5/8"
7. lots of taping and mudding
8. build soffits: drywall face, stuffed with R20, GOM bottom
9. build stage
10. build proscenium wall & DIY screen
11. stage
12. paint, carpet, trim
13. install electronics
14. watch a movie!

Here's a link to a very nice space with a similar layout - its 12 x 20 so a bit wider.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1029731

You may get some ideas. Other than the right seat on the riser, your plan looks good for a tight spot.

No where else to put the drums, heh? Whats on the other side of the wall with the wet bar? Can the door go somewhere along there?

That is going to be nice. I love the fact that you can rock out to a good movie soundtrack with the drums! I am also looking at the Axiom's but that may change (citizenship, not the speakers)!

nice layout/mock up for your design!

If you don't mind me asking, what did you use to design your layout?

Thanks.

If that was my space:

You can fit a row of 3 reclining Berklines in 86 to 105 inches. See 45088 and 45090 models on their web site and get familiar with their on-line space planner.

You can get by with a walkway of less than 24 inches so center up your seating a bit. You are wasting a lot of space with your 3 ft walkway.

I would put you main row at 12 ft from screen 3 seats across. Then build the riser wall to wall starting right at that bump out. Put a step up to riser height outside the room and raise the door. View the back space as FLEX space . Put your drums in there but have some movable seating you can swap in for the big events when the crew comes over. OK, call them the cheap seats. I'm sure you could put 4 across and get another 2-3 behind them.

Another thought is to get a row of bolt down used real theater seats for the second row and you can put 4 in about 92 inches I think. Plan 40 inches of depth including aisle. (need to check)

good resource is seatsandchairs.com

http://www.seatsandchairs.com/home-theater-seating-chairs/pc/catalog/cimarquee02-detailed.jpg

thanks for the thoughts folks.

Here is an overall basement floorplan:
http://www.drumcharacter.com/CinemaCush/imgs/basement_floorplan.png

Some of the positions/sizes might be slightly off, but it's an idea. Sorry for the teensy pixellated text too...

BTW, jmcgowan531, I'm using Adobe Illustrator for my layouts. Thanks for the compliments Daniel@Burst.

Thanks kjlewie, I've looked at the Kern Theater, as well as ArtHouse, and several others in the Small Rooms collection. That gives me total confidence that I can pull off a great room with my limited space. But it doesn't make me long for another few feet in any direction. Oh well.

There's a pair of HVAC trunks that run lengthwise, just to the South of the main bisecting wall (from the furnace--duh--to just above the far end of the wetbar area). They run kinda low, leaving about 6'6 of headroom. I'd raise them up, but the inspector won't allow it, being that they're coming from a wood-burning furnace. Uggh.

BigMouth, I'm not sure about a step on the outside of the room. That might be awkward with the bedroom door opposite. I'll look at what headroom I can work with maybe. Hmmm...you've got me thinking anyway. Thanks!

I'll poke around the Berkline calculator and see what model(s) might suit the space and our interior design concepts. I've looked at the SeatsAndChairs site, and do like some of their bolt-downs (at least for the second row).

I suppose I gotta go snap some photos of the space. Gimme a bit.


I've I told you that I laid the floor and framed the walls 3 years ago, does that get me an automatic Loganizing? Nevermind then ;)

I wish there was a better way to engineer the entry way so when you walk down into the basement you're not presented with a washer and dryer / freezer combo. I think you could have a grand entry to the theater if you could find a way to swap these items and the bathroom.

CJ

Nice layout cush-daddy,

My layout has very similar dimensions besides the bumpouts 18x11.5. I have 3 berkline 13175's centered in my front row & I have ample room at either side to get by to the riser so like Big says you can certainly almost center the 3 row wether you do it in the first row or on the riser.

As far as the riser step if the door actually opens outward you can cut the step into the riser rather than outside the room.

Also if you want an idea on how to make your curved screen with phifer material check out my screen build link below. I used screen track which made it pretty simple to spline the screen material and if I ever need to I can easily change it out.

Best of luck with your build.

Are all of these walls already existing?

Maybe you could push out that wall to the right of the wet bar and move the entrance over to that wall? I think that would open up the room quite a bit and allow you to center the seating.

thanks Oman. Your build was one of the several that I read in detail. I will review it further, especially when it comes time to really begin thinking about the screen. I like your vertical masking. There was another guy with vertical masking on a non-curved screen that I like too; I think I'm going to try to adapt his work to a curved screen. Will see...

Carborandum, the freezer might get relocated to the opposite wall, into the nook adjacent to the wetbar area. The laundry room is intended to be finished nicely as well...with decent flooring, nice cabinetry, and all the proper fit & finish. This ain't yo momma's laundry room. I might box it in somewhat, but Mrs.Cush wants it kept fairly open. I figure she can have her side of the basement, and I'll deal with the other side. A nice lightbox movie poster would go well on the wall between the theater door and the bedroom door though, and maybe a marquis of some sort.

Bluesfan, the main wall is there to stay, and really cannot reasonably change. When I framed it, I built a big beam with doubled-up 2x10 and blocking. That beam is actually 16' long, and forms a header over the bar area, and extends across 4 or 5 studs (2x6) on either side. I did this because although there was originally a full wall there, I was concerned about putting all that load on just a post on either end without a footing engineered for that purpose (I DID consult with an engineer on that). But I can't realistically change that wall--at least without WAY more work and $$ than we intend to invest in this project. Believe me though, I looked long and hard at that wall last night, trying to see if what you're suggesting is even doable.

Currently, the walls enclosing the wetbar don't yet exist, and the doorway into the theater room is only rough framed. The bathroom and the water services closet already exist, as does the spare bedroom, the furnace area, and the stairwell.

You guys have been SO helpful already. Thanks! I wish I'd started posting sooner...

You must have me confused with some other fine and curvy screen fellow :p
No vertical masking just yet, although I have been following a couple of the solutions that folks are working in the 2:35 DIY section.

I also want to try and adapt Scott's masking system and his automation technique which he's been working on. I just need get everything else done and then make that a project to deal with later on. I just need to make sure I can adapt my false wall panels.

Having said that though I can certainly try to get away with a motorized curtain with a weighted edge for a nice and straight line, this may be the easiest solution. Secondly I have been strectching 16:9 to scope (I know it's kind'a like blasphemy :eek:), to tell you the truth it hasn't really been bad. Also play video games this way, the only way the geometry appears off is if you go back to 16:9, otherwise your really none the wiser. So worst comes to worst and I can't get curtains in my 10.5" of space at either side and the masking just doesn't work out I have a solution I can live with.