LJ, 1st let me say I like some of your design work, secondly if you are going to get into this then good luck. I have been a woodworker most of my adult life and one thing about your project I simply cannot agree with is the use of commercially available plywood. Most plywood manufactured today will delaminate with barely any outside inteference, in other words it will not hold up under pressure,water exposure to extreme heat and so forth. I feel you would be better off purchasing a good jointer and bandsaw and making your own laminates for this adventure of yours. Unfortunately thats a healthy investment in tools that I gather you have little or no experience with. I would consult a local woodworkers club and see about having someone build you the stock blanks. Hardwoods can be expensive, especially straight grained ones. You already have figured out the cost for glues and such, perhaps you might find local wooworkers in your area that would be willing to lend a hand. Personally I think you might be better advised to go this route than trying the plywood in the beginning as at the least you will have a better grade of material to work with initially.
Good Luck,Tommyt