The Zen Garden HT

In the most zen-like way possible my build thread starts...calm, clear, pure, wide open.

EDIT: at first, this thread literally only had the above statement. Since then I've edited quite a bit adding pics and comments.



After much back and forth, I decided to be at one with my basement structure. This includes NOT doing things I had planned originally - move the furnace back a few feet, move the HVAC trunks, move the lally column, move the bathroom rough-in. Instead, I will approach this as v1.0 knowing that we'll move in about six years. At that point, our first kid will be out of the house and it will be way too big for three people. And then we can build something with a 9' basement pour.

My current plan is to use the 27'x19' space with the screenwall on the upper right. I'll upload an updated basic floorplan that includes the window locations later. Having the room here puts that lally column right behind the first row but that's ok (Zen, remember). Instead of a second row of seats I plan to do a bar like the Getaway. More to follow once I give my mind another chance to clear...

I'm going to use this post as a bookmark for myself. Thanks CJO for providing a great example. But I'm just going for the free flow...

Best representation of style
I love the wood treatment in Steve's theater (swithey). This photo shows the combination of that wood tone and some tile work we saw while in Puerto Vallarta recently. Not sure how I'm going to incorporate them, but this is the goal (of course with more black ).


EDIT #1>
Here is the column style, and wood species/finish that I'm after:



I like Steve's grooves with metal inserts. But I might just go with grooves. The grooves in the wall in this pic have nothing but stain, while the bar has a painted accent.



EDIT #3>

Current Layout


Screen Wall




Left Wall


Right Wall


Rear Wall

Ok, this is a very good sign. Since you are now at your best...how about you grab a napkin? Pretty please?

Oh, and I updated the first post...I'm kinda embracing the free flowing universe.

Unfortunately it is exactly 8' from concrete to joist. If I decide to do as Ted has suggested (RSIC-DC04 to attach walls to joists, whisperclips and channel for ceiling drywall, no clips on walls as they will be decoupled from the rest of the basement) and a subfloor of about an inch I think my finished dimension will be between 7'8" and 7'10".

Your timing is taking a universal drink of nature...flowing as the river runs. This weekend I will be extending my mind clearing exercise to the clutter clearing in the basement.

Beam: subtract 9 5/8"
Trunks: subtract 8"

Ask and you shall receive...



And yes, I measured all the joists... that may not be exactly in the Zen tradition. But hey, all that anal stuff is what got me to this point of accepting things the way they are.

Intended Uses - Current
"Turn it down!" - nuff said

Normally it is only me watching after everyone has gone to bed on the second floor. The content ranges from 2.3x:1 movies to HDTV Lost, BSG, Rome, Deadwood, Weeds, etc. Sometimes it is me and my 12 year old watching action or epic flicks on the weekend. Every NFL Sunday it is me and the wife YELLING at the Broncos, and occasionally cheering. Sometimes a buddy or two comes over for the game. I watched every Denver Nugget game over the last three seasons. I don't really do Baseball or Hockey unless the local team is in the playoffs.

So I watch a lot of HDTV content, which is why I went with that format in my living room (at 150" diag).

Future Uses
I can see where my son or daughter (3yrs) would have friends over. But, I'm not trying to be the local cineplex. I just want to have my own space. If it works for others - great!

2CH listening room - Here is where it gets tricky
I want to be able to have a (somewhat) critical listening room for 2 channel music. So I might need to have two sets of L/R speakers depending on what I decide (Klipsch lovers don't get much love in pure 2CH audio).

"Ramble On"

Just be at one with your insanity...just kidding. The thread really was empty in the beginning.


The window "treatments" depend how far I go on isolation. I'm fine with framing over the one on the screenwall. The other two will get fancy plugs.

Other things in this 27'x19' space? Well, I had initially thought about a bar against the back wall. That would be front row, 2nd row bar like Getaway or third row in Big Red, then a full bar. I'm still not decided. I'd say more than 50% of the use with visitors will be for sporting events. So having the two bar areas (like your place) would help these folks be at peace with the resulting games.

Floor plan? I've scrapped at least 10 Visio plans, more than 10 hand drawn plans, and at least five Sketchup plans. Do I have a current one? Maybe I'll share it this weekend after some cleanup.

The plans are one of the reasons I'm embracing the stillness.


Breathe in, exhale....breathe in, exhale....now, I want you to go to your happy place. All is calm, turbulence is no more.


Species? I'm just hoping it isn't alien. I'll tap your expertise when I get to that point. You are clearly a master who is one with the saw, sand, and stain.

Here is the most recent revision...

I think my biggest problem will be getting a 12' wide scope screen with the throw distance constraints. That @!#$%@#$ pole is really killing me. Wait, no it isn't. In fact, I like that the builder decided to support my house. The pole will now become a focal point in the room. I am at one with my pole.

Now that I am peaceful again, what about those doors? The wife really wants it open, if not then french doors. Will I gain any isolation at all by using a pocket door plus the french doors?

I updated the design based on some of the style examples I just added to the second post.

Ok, so I'll go with a double door. Are we talking about sealing high, mid, or low frequencies? I'm assuming at some point going down doors get really weak. What about glass panes?

Thanks for reminding me about this. I had originally planed to use black leather office chairs like Big Red. He mentioned that they were great in his back row with the bar.



Agreed - I'll update the plan with a riser and chairs.



I'm still not sure what to do in the back area. I thought a walk up bar against the wall might work. At one point I had a poker table type setup in the upper left corner. That seemed too crowded. I need to clear my mind again.

I should consider the guests. I'll put more thought into what I can do there.


I had bass traps in there, but can't figure out how to cover that area while making it appear like a design element....?

DIY subs? Ha! Surely you have me mixed up with someone who likes MDF dust.

Thanks for the link! I like the look of these:



I've also thought about going with LittLites like indygreg did for his back bar in Big Red



I have some ideas along those lines. But I had not thought about sliding like a shoji screen effect. That might work out to be really cool!

I'm gonna let that one slide for now...

Updated layout...

Random thought: it was 85 degrees yesterday, and right now it is snowing.

I think that is a good idea. I was toying with making that area something like that - walk up bar that could also be used for what you describe.



I was planning on two SVS subs up front. But now you have me wondering...could I convert the two columns on each side of the front row into subs in the bottom portion ? I have them at 12" deep and about 5' wide. Would that kill any attempts at isolation?



Not yet. I learned not to start on those until I'm completely, conclusively, absolutely, universally committed to a layout. Once I am at one with the layout I'll elevate it.