So here is the deal. I've been in the studio I'm in now for a little over two years. I'm in a building on the third floor and the building is old... and borderline ghetto. I'm ready for a change. I'm ready to get out of downtown and into something a little more upscale.
So I found a great location that I think is going to suit me quite well, but it's an empty shell at the moment and requires a buildout, which is nice because then I can get something that I want. I got an architect to draw up these plans, I would like to know your thoughts.
So here is my goal:
1. I want to go for a sort of Mac store vibe. Modern, sleek, simple. (Glass, Brushed Steel, Polished Concrete, etc.)
2. Upscale! I'm asking my clients to invest around $5000 with me, I want them to feel confident.
3. Wow factor is a big plus.

This is the entry/lobby area with receptionist desk and waiting area.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18071&stc=1&d=1274114673
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18070&stc=1&d=1274114673

This is the conference room right off the main hall from the lobby area.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18073&stc=1&d=1274114673

These are the two offices right off the main hall from the lobby area. Across from the conf. room.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18072&stc=1&d=1274114673

Bathroom is down the main hall to the right. There is also a small break room area as well that is not pictured.

This is the Loft. It will be a sort of consultation area / chill area. Through the metal double doors will be a theater room complete with theater seating.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18075&stc=1&d=1274114673
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18076&stc=1&d=1274114673
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18074&stc=1&d=1274114673

There is also a storage/shooting area that is not in these renders that is at the end of the hall. It's an area clients will never see, unless we do some interviews or something, but it will be very open and soundstage-esq.

Well it's, er, very nice, very modern. Do the actual working areas carry on the same theme - I'm thinking of the offices, edit suites, studio, storage - those kind of areas. I'm not quite sure what the areas are actually for? It looks as if you have plenty of space for visitors, but where do the actual workers do their stuff? The big open plan style is quite common now, but I always feel that the hubbub from lots of people carrying out separate conversations is quite offputting.

Looks posh, though!

Good point. There are TWO main offices/edit suites in addition to a conference room that will have a phone as well. The shooting area and storage area is not in these renders, but offers a lot of wide open space. There is also a sort of break room with fridge, microwave, etc. So I feel it still offers both and open feel while still maintaining areas to sort of get away.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18080&stc=1&d=1274120120
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18079&stc=1&d=1274120120

Well, Andrew, you know I'm down with the modern vibe. I think it looks pretty slick. My only concern is that you have a plan for 'feminizing' it a bit. At the moment it looks like the perfect space to meet with corporate clients, but a bit too sterile for wedding clients. Just my take and I get that we're looking at renders and not the finished space.

My other thought is that you might consider having the offices upstairs instead of the theater. We have our theater upstairs and it would be nice to not have to take our clients up a flight of stairs. Also, we've had a few clients take a mis-step on the stairs. No one has actually hurt themselves yet, but it's definitely something that makes us nervous every time. Anyways, not sure if you could swap the theater with workspaces but if you can, you might think about that.

Lastly, how big is this space? It must be huge! d;-)

Is there no US equivalent of the UK Disability Discrimination Act? Over here, you'd not get a plan passed by the local authority without disabled access to all levels. This means an elevator for even modest new builds.

Where I live there are similar laws... However they just need to be able to get to a bathroom and ithe bathroom must be at least 10x10. Other than that, I have to have a water fountain. The stairs had a lot of requirements as well, but the architect took all of that into account..

Travis,
Didn't see your post before until now for some reason. Anyway, we felt the offices downstairs would be better since that is where most our time will be spent and if for some reason we do have someone in a wheelchair it is probably more important they be able to go to our office than our theater room when we can just us easily use the conf. room to show work on a 50" plasma. We will also have plasmas in our lobby/waiting room. The square footage of the ground floor is about 2400 ft. a good portion of that is warehouse space in the back (not pictured). The loft area is about 1600 sq ft. or so. Pretty good amount of usable space.

We opted for a loft design rather than just two floors is that we wanted clients to walk in and get a very open vibe.... not come in and there are 8ft drop ceilings with acoustic paneling and get a very 'officy' feeling. High ceilings are really important, but good use of space is just as important.

Well, Andrew, you know I'm down with the modern vibe. I think it looks pretty slick. My only concern is that you have a plan for 'feminizing' it a bit. At the moment it looks like the perfect space to meet with corporate clients, but a bit too sterile for wedding clients.
d;-)

Disclaimer: I am not a wedding videographer and I have nothing but my own perception of that market...

...but I guess at first glance, I agree that it does seem a bit spartan for a space designed around interaction with couples about to be, and recently married. It seems like a too-cool-for-you ad agency office space where lots of guys who dress primarily in black can sell really stupid and expensive ideas to clients because they have some sort of foreign accent...(this scenario would be in the USA of course).

On the other hand, I've been married 23 years and I'm old...

Perhaps you guys are using gasoline powered horseless carriages to get from the church to the reception hall these days and I hear that some cameras don't even use film anymore...

Maybe this whole 'modern' thing is what this younger generation is into...


:-)

Tim,

You make some interesting points that I never considered. I guess a sleek modern look can work for you AND against you. There is never a way to please everyone.

I love the Mac store look personally. I also know that Apple has put a lot of thought into their stores... And I'm sure they went the route they did for a reason. It seems to be working.

Other things to consider...

98% of my brides are in their 20's.

100% of my corporate clients are coming to me because of my style of work.

98% of my brides are in their 20's.

100% of my corporate clients are coming to me because of my style of work.

Understood... And as I mentioned, you may be right on target. I was giving you my first impression...

Maybe put a plant here and there...

:-)

no worries... your input is important. decor is something i'm not looking forward to... it definitely needs something, i just haven't found what that is yet.