A perfect space for the appreciation of sound in a sanctuary for music.The original residence was designed in a Santa Barbara/ Mediterranean style. The Spanish style roofing, heavy oak doors and trim, and beautiful spacious wood ceilings define the home. The homeowner is an accomplished pianist who wanted to add a dramatic “music studio” to his home. The space needed to function ideally as a practice space, for small and intimate performances with two concert grand pianos, to provide a full home theater space, and detailed with perfect acoustics. And the new studio needed sound separation from the main house so that piano practice would not disturb the rest of the family.The new addition was placed parallel to the hillside at one end of the residence. The new connecting foyer provides: an acoustic separation from the rest of the home, a separate entry for guests, and adequate space to move the pianos in and out of the main music room. An acoustic consultant collaborated with the team on all details including exacting proportions of the space to create a sonic world all its own – the perfect place designed to escape our often noisy and chaotic world. Many musicians spend time in practice rooms with no windows – how dreary! In this music studio natural light spills into the room from two sides providing full-spectrum light, while rich draperies can also be drawn to enhance the sound control, and to darken the room for the home theater. LED lighting is provided in the cabinetry to illuminate the homeowner’s artwork and sculpture. Lighting and lighting controls set several moods for piano performance, practice, reading and relaxing, and enjoying the home theater.The drop down projection screen for the home theater, projector, and all equipment was carefully integrated into the design. Cabinetry stores and old LP collection, DVD’s and CD”s as well as piano scores. Mimicking the main home the new music room is detailed and proportioned so that it into the main residence seamlessly. A brick pathway matches the existing residence patio and leads to large oak doors into the foyer and then on into the music studio. Matching oak doors are sealed to minimize any potential sound leakage. The magnificence of the music room ceiling bounces sound around the space perfectly. Behind the scenes the beautifully joined roof is suspended off of two hidden steel frames, allowing for long spans and mid-roof intersecting gables.