Overview
The Control Room (B311) requires a custom L-shaped desk to accommodate the SSL UF8 control surface, UF1 secondary controller, Apollo x4 audio interface, and monitor shelf for the Genelec 8030C pair. The desk is designed for the specific room dimensions (207 cm width) and integrates cable management for the studio environment.
Fabrication location: Damascus, Syria — local steel fabrication shop with welding capability. Woodworking for surface and drawers can be done at same shop or dedicated joinery.
Overall Dimensions
Primary Dimensions
L-Shaped Configuration
| Component | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main wing | 160 cm | 75 cm | 74 cm (work surface) |
| Return wing | 90 cm | 60 cm | 74 cm (work surface) |
| Monitor shelf (raised) | 160 cm (full main width) | 30 cm | +20 cm above desk = 94 cm AFF |
The main wing faces the front wall (monitor wall) and holds the primary work surface and control surfaces. The return wing extends to the right, providing additional surface area for secondary equipment and paperwork.
Plan View
CONTROL ROOM B311 — Plan View (not to scale)
Room width: 207 cm
◄─── 23.5 cm ───►◄──────────── 160 cm (main wing) ────────────►◄─── 23.5 cm ───►
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FRONT WALL (monitors) │
│ │
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ MONITOR SHELF 160 × 30 cm (+20 cm raised) │ │
│ │ [Genelec L] [Apollo x4] [Genelec R] │ │
│ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ MAIN WING 160 × 75 cm │ ┌────────────┐ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ [LEFT PED] [SSL UF8 center] [SSL UF1] │──│ RETURN │ │
│ │ 2× A4 dwrs │ │ 90 × 60 │ │
│ │ │ │ 1× drawer │ │
│ │ [RIGHT PED] │ │ │ │
│ │ 1× deep drwr │ └────────────┘ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ ◄──────── cable tray under rear edge (full width) ────────► │
│ │
│ ● LISTENING POSITION │
│ (1.54 m from front wall) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Steel Frame
Structural Frame
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 40 × 40 mm steel square tube |
| Wall thickness | 2 mm |
| Joints | Welded construction (MIG or TIG), ground smooth |
| Finish | Powder-coated matte black (RAL 9005 or similar) |
| Leg count | 6 legs total (4 main wing + 2 return wing) |
| Floor contact | Adjustable leveling feet (M10 thread) with rubber pads |
Frame Assembly Notes
- All welds must be continuous (no tack-only joints) for structural integrity
- Grind all welds flush before powder coating
- Frame must be square and level — check diagonals before coating
- Add a horizontal stretcher bar between front and rear legs at 30 cm AFF for rigidity
- Monitor shelf uprights: 2× vertical posts at left and right edges of main wing, welded to frame
Do NOT: Use bolted connections for the main frame — welded joints prevent rattles and resonances that would be picked up by sensitive microphones. Do NOT skip the leveling feet — the float floor may have minor variations.
Work Surface
Desk Top
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 25 mm birch plywood (Baltic birch, B/BB grade) |
| Edge treatment | Walnut edge banding (solid wood, glued and sanded flush) |
| Finish | Matte polyurethane, 3 coats, sanded between coats (220 grit) |
| Front edge profile | Slight roundover (3 mm radius) for comfort |
| Mounting | Screwed from below through frame cross-members (countersunk) |
SSL UF8 Recess
The SSL UF8 control surface requires a recessed pocket in the desk surface so that fader tops sit flush with the desk plane. This provides ergonomic fader access without wrist strain.
| Recess Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Recess dimensions | 470 × 345 mm (UF8 footprint + 5 mm clearance each side) |
| Recess depth | 15 mm (half the plywood thickness) |
| Position | Center of main wing, 15 cm from front edge |
Precision required: The UF8 recess must be routed with a CNC router or very carefully with a template and flush-trim bit. Test-fit before finishing.
Monitor Shelf
Raised Shelf
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 160 cm (full main wing width) |
| Depth | 30 cm |
| Height above desk | +20 cm |
| Material | 25 mm birch plywood (matching desk surface) |
| Support | 2× steel uprights welded to frame, plus rear support bracket |
The monitor shelf positions the Genelec 8030C tweeters at approximately 120 cm AFF (seated ear height). The Apollo x4 sits under the shelf in the center gap, keeping Thunderbolt cable runs short. [AC]
Acoustic note: The shelf surface should be covered with 5 mm neoprene or felt to reduce early reflections from the desk surface bouncing into the monitors. [AC]
Drawers & Storage
Drawer Configuration
Drawer Schedule
| Drawer | Location | Internal Size | Type | Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWR-1 | Left pedestal, upper | A4 depth | Standard | Documents, manuals |
| DWR-2 | Left pedestal, lower | A4 depth | Standard | Cables, adapters |
| DWR-3 | Right pedestal | Deep (200 mm) | Full-extension slides | Headphones, larger accessories |
| DWR-4 | Under return wing | Standard | Standard | Miscellaneous storage |
Drawer Construction
- Box: 12 mm birch plywood, dado joints
- Bottom: 6 mm birch plywood in dado groove
- Slides: Ball-bearing full-extension slides (soft-close)
- Fronts: 25 mm birch plywood matching desk surface, walnut edge banding
- Pulls: Minimal — finger-pull routed into top edge (no protruding hardware to snag cables)
Equipment Layout on Desk
Equipment Positions
Main Wing (Front to Back)
| Zone | Equipment | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor shelf, left | Genelec 8030C (L) | On IsoAcoustics ISO-155, −30° from center |
| Monitor shelf, center | Apollo x4 (under shelf) | Under shelf, Thunderbolt to Mac |
| Monitor shelf, right | Genelec 8030C (R) | On IsoAcoustics ISO-155, +30° from center |
| Desk surface, center | SSL UF8 | Recessed into desk surface |
| Desk surface, right of UF8 | SSL UF1 | Surface-mounted, right side |
| Desk surface, near-field | Mackie Big Knob Studio+ | Within arm’s reach, left or right of keyboard |
Return Wing
The return wing (90 × 60 cm) provides space for a secondary display, paperwork, keyboard/mouse (if primary is on main wing), or additional outboard gear.
Cable Management
Routing & Access
Cable Tray
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Under rear edge of main wing, full 160 cm width |
| Material | Perforated steel or wire mesh basket, powder-coated black |
| Depth | 10 cm (clears cable bundles) |
| Mounting | Screwed to underside of desk frame cross-members |
Cable Pass-Throughs
- 3× rubber grommets (60 mm diameter) along rear edge of desk surface
- 1× rubber grommet at junction of main wing and return wing
- Grommets must be split-type (removable center) for easy cable threading
Cable discipline: Route power cables on the left side of the tray, audio/data on the right. Maintain physical separation to prevent electromagnetic interference.
Room Fit Analysis
Clearance Verification
Desk in Room B311
| Dimension | Value | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Room width | 207 cm | SSOT |
| Desk main wing width | 160 cm | Spec |
| Total clearance | 47 cm | 207 − 160 = 47 cm |
| Clearance each side | 23.5 cm | 47 ÷ 2 = 23.5 cm (centered) |
23.5 cm clearance on each side is sufficient for walking past the desk and accessing side walls for panel installation or maintenance. The return wing extends into the right-side clearance space, leaving the left side fully open as the primary access path.
Tight fit: With the return wing extending right, the right-side clearance will be reduced. Verify the return wing does not block door D2 swing or access to the sound lock. [HP]
Cost Estimate
Damascus Local Fabrication
Estimated Budget
| Item | Quantity | Est. Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 40×40 mm steel tube + welding labor | ~15 m tube + 8 hrs labor | $180 |
| Powder coating (matte black) | Full frame | $60 |
| 25 mm birch plywood (surfaces) | 2 sheets | $120 |
| 12 mm birch plywood (drawers) | 1 sheet | $45 |
| Walnut edge banding | ~8 m | $35 |
| Drawer slides (ball-bearing, soft-close) | 4 pairs | $60 |
| Leveling feet, hardware, grommets | Assorted | $30 |
| Polyurethane finish + sandpaper | 3 coats | $25 |
| Cable tray (perforated steel) | 160 cm | $25 |
| Joinery labor (surfaces, drawers) | ~12 hrs | $140 |
| Total Estimated Cost | ~$720 | |
Estimate assumes Damascus market pricing as of 2026. Actual costs may vary based on material availability and shop rates. Add 10–15% contingency for unforeseen adjustments.
QC Checklist
Fabrication Acceptance
Before Delivery
- Frame is square: diagonal measurements match within 3 mm
- All welds ground smooth, no sharp edges
- Powder coat finish uniform, no bare spots or bubbles
- Leveling feet adjust smoothly through full range
- Surface finish smooth, no rough spots or drips in polyurethane
- UF8 recess dimensions verified with test-fit
- All drawers open and close smoothly on slides
- Soft-close mechanism engages on all drawers
- Cable grommets installed and removable center sections function
- Cable tray securely mounted, no rattles
After Installation in Room
- Desk centered in room with 23.5 cm clearance each side
- Desk level using adjustable feet (spirit level on surface)
- Monitor shelf at correct height for 120 cm AFF tweeter position [AC]
- Return wing does not obstruct D2 door swing [HP]
- No frame contact with walls (prevents vibration transmission) [AC]
Acceptance: Desk is accepted when all fabrication QC items pass and in-room fit is verified without wall contact or door obstruction.