Well, it sounds like you've done your research---more folks need to be like you---congrats on that!

I'm doing some major renovations on my room too. Like you, as soon as I figure out exactly how I wanna do it. I have a few "must have" variables in my quest for the perfect room for me. But if I were in your shoes, I'd really think hard about DWC.

My Reasoning:
  1. If this is your first grow, you don't want to complicate matters----at all!
  2. NFT is supposedly a little picky--so it might not be the best for your first time.
  3. PVC....the idea IS good. Almost an infinite number of setup possibilities. However, these are also "usually" a variation of NFT or aeroponics, so we're back to the complication issue again.
  4. In a truly custom system, you have to account for many things if your venturing into new territory. So, it stands to reason that one should ideally possess experience on at least "some" level before building one to allow for the not-so-obvious issues that should be addressed in the building process---that way you can engineer the build with countermeasures in place.
Now, with all that said, don't let my opinions keep you from doing anything that you truly wanna do. Thats the beauty of growing.....do it however the hell ya wanna do it!:thumbsup:
I understand your reluctance to grow in soil...I don't like it either. I grow coco, but see myself leaning more and more towards hydro or aero. I, myself, needed to make the transition gently from soil to hydro. I felt if I jumped right into hydro, I'd have too many problems. So, I softened the move by going to coco first. It is a hydro process, but still allows a small degree of buffering. Anyhow enough about that--thats not what your asking.

If I had to choose between the systems you posted as possibilities, I'd go with buckets. If they start to get too tall, you can always LST them to keep their overall height manageable. Plus, with buckets, there is no permanent install in your room. If you wanna change to another type of grow later on, all you have to remove are the buckets.
Plus you'll have the element of more experience on your side to help in the decision making process.

I'll stop preachin now.....good luck!