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What do you consider the most important things in a studio space? A wall of mirrors? Wood floors? A barre? Decor related to belly dance? And do any of you have pix or links to great looking studio spaces? What is your minimum and what is your dream?
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Re: Studio space
Tue, March 24, 2009 - 2:33 PMIn order:
Large open space
Good floors
Mirrors
Good bathroom and changing space
Good location (safe, good parking)
Natural light
Inviting decor -
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Re: Studio space
Tue, March 24, 2009 - 10:03 PMI'm going to agree with Shay on the order of this. I feel that open space is hugely important. I'm most often confined to my living room and when I get on stage I hardly know how to use all the space, and the limited practice area leads to a loss of momentum (if that makes sense) because I'm afraid of running into my walls or plants. But when I practice at my local gym I find myself picking up speed, which gives energy and attack.
Good floors.
Mirrors.
Safe space.
Good people!
On the flip-side, a friend of mine who lives out in the woods has a little shed with a wooden floor and a rug over that, and one wall with pieces of various mirrors up on it. I was in there one night and, by candlelight, it seemed like the most inspirational room in the world.
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Re: Studio space
Tue, March 24, 2009 - 10:26 PMAs well as the cleanliness of the space. I hate working in a studio with dust bunnies and hair covering the floor. Happens a lot but I'm growing very tired of it. -
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 4:24 PMThat definitely falls under "good floor" for me. A well tended floor, free of splinters, dirt, and other things that make the feet unhappy, is important.
And "good people" is something that comes INTO the space, but isn't part of the space itself. But a good *class environment" would include that for me, too!
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 4:25 PMThat was in response to multiple posts, not just Aubre! -
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 8:38 PMOn the good floor statements: Do you think industrial carpet is okay? Oriental rugs? Smooth concrete? Wood? Are all of these acceptable, or do you definitely prefer certain ones? -
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 10:19 PMPreferably? Raised wood dance floor.
Next best: something smooth- wood, linoleum etc.
Industrial carpet provides too much friction for turns. Exercise classes on carpet have more injuries (I think knee and ankle due to twisting).
Concrete would be my least favorite- my feet are already little icicles and there is NO give whatsoever.
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 10:43 PMThe only carpet I enjoy dancing on is good wool carpet...not cost-effective for a studio, and not good for knees and ankles anyway!
I like wood. Linoleum over wood would be OK, linoleum over concrete is still hard. Smooth concrete is only comfortable for people who are young, light, and have good joints!
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Re: Studio space
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 11:55 PMNo carpet! As mentioned, it creates tremendous strain on the ankles and knees when pivoting or turning. And absolutely no concrete! No give. You'll feel this in every joint when you finish class. I grew up in a studio with concrete floors (the floor was not elevated up) and I remember coming home from dancing all day and as a teenager not being able to walk my ankles, knees, and hips hurt so much. -
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Re: Studio space
Thu, March 26, 2009 - 5:46 AMThank you all!
So, what do you like as far as decorating? Just mirrors or do you like glamor or ethnic? -
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Re: Studio space
Thu, March 26, 2009 - 10:25 AMI think decor depends on the classes the space is geared for. You want an inspirational space, but not something that is distracting. Boy, I have a lot to say on this topic. =P -
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Re: Studio space
Thu, March 26, 2009 - 10:41 AMBut it's all good, Aubre! Keep talkin'!
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Re: Studio space
Thu, March 26, 2009 - 2:54 PMI'd say put money into the floor and mirrors. Everything else is just fluff.
That being said, I enjoy opulent, Ottoman-palace style fluff. ;) Or Victorian, just for a change. But furniture is expensive and takes up space.
A local studio did a nice redecorating job with a painted "onion dome" arch on the wall, and some arabic-style lettering around the ceiling. I think the colors were a warm yellow and brownish burgandy. If you have a talented student, you could have them paint a mural in exchange for free classes. The more colors you use, the more expensive it will be.
A friend of mine has a great home studio. She has lots of mirrors, lots of light, lots of space, and hangs her swords, canes, and pictures from her career on the wall. The pictures are really cool. -
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Re: Studio space
Sat, March 28, 2009 - 8:19 PMYes, floors and mirrors!
I took a 2-day workshop in an elks lodge or some such space not long ago. The floor was linoleum over concrete and boy, were my feet & knees & back killing me at the end of it! Especially my knees and I don't usually have knee issues. We're *dancers* and we need dance-worthy floors that support our bodies.
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Re: Studio space
Fri, March 27, 2009 - 10:09 PMI prefer less decoration, personally. I don't necessarily want to be looking at certain visuals if I'm trying to come up with concepts... but I love color! I'd love a studio with deep red or orange walls, very vibrant and energetic instead of cold white.
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Re: Studio space
Sun, March 29, 2009 - 4:08 AMIf you are talking commercial studio (rather than home studio dedicated to hours-a-day of YOUR practice) then I would say a smooth floor is the most important, and a smooth floor with a cushion between the feet and the underlayment is best. Older students will complain about commercial carpet right away - too hard on the knees.
Mirrors a close second. Some students start out hating them but the mirrors double the impact of the class by providing immediate feedback.
Third: before spending money making the space look intimate, make it intimate. Don't nickle-and-dime your students at every corner. Get your tuition prices where they need to be without constantly charging for extras. Don't sell them $1 bottles of water: keep a large IGLOO jug and cups on a table. Have hip scarves and veils available in class until the students are committed and ready to buy their own. Put a few minutes of space between classes so students can meet and greet. And consider the power of shoe racks and a coat rack with hangers: even the most elegant studio turns into a locker room quickly when the only place for student personals is on the studio floor or chairs.
IMO
