Woodstock is one of Cape Town's oldest suburbs - going back to when it was a farm below Devil's Peak in 1666. Albert Road developed into a community of fisherman and farm cottages - a far cry from the industrial and artists' hub it is today. The first to start the rejuvenation were the Old Castle Brewery and Biscuit Mill and the most recent is the Woodstock Foundry which houses locally made craft including furniture, art pieces, sculptures and jewellery.
Now the area is home to Platinum Studios - the first photographer and muso's hub which will be housed inside a warehouse with concrete custom-designed studios, engineered and built to isolate sound.
Entrepreneur and CEO of Platinum Studios, Brinn Tomes, and his partner, Gerhard Grobler, a recording and mixing engineer, identified a gap in the market for up-and-coming artists from various disciplines to hire affordable studio space. They have converted an old warehouse in Industrial Park in Woodstock, which has an interesting history dating back to the early 1900s with the original wood in situ. The result? Seven state-of-the-art multi-functional, rehearsal and recording studios.
The duo - recorded musicians, songwriters and producers, who have already helped launch the careers of numerous artists - are no strangers to the industry.
According to Erik Grobler, the architect responsible for transforming the warehouse into Platinum Studios, the biggest challenge was the "isolation of sound given the flexibility of the programme required and the production of a quality acoustic environment". Grobler said extensive research went into the final design and build. He designed the refurbishment of the warehouse (an investment of R1.5 million) by building the studios, live room and band practice rooms with concrete blocks filled with sand. They also have concrete roofs to "maximise the mass of the partitioning for isolation". In addition, he says that acoustic panels have been incorporated for the absorption of higher sound frequencies. "Parallel walls were excluded," he says, "as they do not create a quality acoustic environment. All the rooms have a single entrance with two solid doors which closes onto a rubber gasket. This creates a draught-proof seal which rounds off the acoustic isolation."
Photographers and artists looking for space will be able to book the studios for product photography, castings, test and modelling shoots, as well as hobby photography, wedding photography, fashion shoots, portraits, baby photography, choir and band or solo rehearsals and recordings in a professional, soundproof environment.
Tomes says, "We want musicians and artists to gather and interact with the purpose of meeting other artists, collaborating or merely using the facilities. There is also excellent equipment (including drums) which comes standard, suitable for recreational artists and professionals and other gear rental can be facilitated by the studio.
The good news for musicians is that all rooms are kitted with a PA System and a Mapex drum kit with hardware.
When Tomes says affordable he means it. For just R120/hour (for a minimum of three hours) photographers can hire a studio which includes the standard white shell and drop-down screens.
"We are elated with the launch of the new studios in Woodstock which will only serve to enhance the creative industry in Cape Town. With Cape Town being named World Design Capital 2014, this is our contribution to providing a launchpad and hub for up-and-coming photographers and musicians. We also want to collaborate with like- minded neighbours - such as Cape Audio College - to the mix and create energy and creativity into the photographic and music space."
In additional to the seven studios for hire there will also be a vocal booth, an A-class recording studio as well as Taylors' coffee shop.
Platinum Studios is located at Units 26 and 27 Nearby Industrial Park, Cnr Beach and Railways Street, Woodstock, close to the Old Castle Brewery and Waltons.
For more info go to www.platinumstudios.co.za.
