Columns Add Space for the Electronics Equipment
By Lisa Montgomery
With nowhere else to put their basement theater components, homeowners tuck it inside custom-built columns.
Not everyone likes to see their audio and video equipment blinking and buzzing away in the corner. Nor do some people admire speakers set out on the floor. The owners of this renovated basement wanted absolutely nothing but the screen to be seen in their theater, posing an interesting challenge to the home theater designers at Media Rooms Inc. in West Chester, Penn.
One wall was the foundation with very little space between it and the new drywall, while the other three walls abutted living spaces, like an exercise room and a game room, explains Media Rooms Inc. president and owner Rob Dzedzy.
This design afforded no space to put in a built-in equipment rack. Dzedzy could have tucked the equipment into a bar at the back of the room, but that idea was nixed do to wiring issues. There were also no available closets. The solution: Design a few decorative columns for the theater and put the components and speakers there.
Fortunately for the homeowners, Media Design Inc. operates its own custom cabinet shop, so the columns could be designed and sized precisely for the equipment that would go inside.
A total of eight columns were constructed. Two were placed on either side of the 119-inch diagonal Draper screen; three went on each side wall. The two front columns function as storage for the A/V components, DVDs, and other media. A hinged door opens to reveal the contents inside, but usually stays closed to preserve the room aesthetic. The remaining six columns were designed to provide just enough space for built-in speakers. We didn't want to take up any more floor space than was necessary, Dzedzy explains.
Two of the 4-inch deep structures conceal a Triad surround-sound speaker. The speakers fire through red acoustical fabric. The audio setup is complemented by a decorative sconce light at the positioned at the top of each column. The front three Triad speakers and subwoofer were stashed inside a proscenium below the screen that was also built by Media Rooms Inc.
Click here to continue.
By Lisa Montgomery
With nowhere else to put their basement theater components, homeowners tuck it inside custom-built columns.
Not everyone likes to see their audio and video equipment blinking and buzzing away in the corner. Nor do some people admire speakers set out on the floor. The owners of this renovated basement wanted absolutely nothing but the screen to be seen in their theater, posing an interesting challenge to the home theater designers at Media Rooms Inc. in West Chester, Penn.
One wall was the foundation with very little space between it and the new drywall, while the other three walls abutted living spaces, like an exercise room and a game room, explains Media Rooms Inc. president and owner Rob Dzedzy.
This design afforded no space to put in a built-in equipment rack. Dzedzy could have tucked the equipment into a bar at the back of the room, but that idea was nixed do to wiring issues. There were also no available closets. The solution: Design a few decorative columns for the theater and put the components and speakers there.
Fortunately for the homeowners, Media Design Inc. operates its own custom cabinet shop, so the columns could be designed and sized precisely for the equipment that would go inside.
A total of eight columns were constructed. Two were placed on either side of the 119-inch diagonal Draper screen; three went on each side wall. The two front columns function as storage for the A/V components, DVDs, and other media. A hinged door opens to reveal the contents inside, but usually stays closed to preserve the room aesthetic. The remaining six columns were designed to provide just enough space for built-in speakers. We didn't want to take up any more floor space than was necessary, Dzedzy explains.
Two of the 4-inch deep structures conceal a Triad surround-sound speaker. The speakers fire through red acoustical fabric. The audio setup is complemented by a decorative sconce light at the positioned at the top of each column. The front three Triad speakers and subwoofer were stashed inside a proscenium below the screen that was also built by Media Rooms Inc.
Click here to continue.
