The existing TV/Radio Studio simply functioned. The challenge in this design program was to create a space that met a variety of goals:

o Rather than fade into the scenery, the department should promote the course offerings to the school.
o The existing technology was antiquated and situated in a way that hindered teaching. A challenge was to create spaces that made it possible for teacher/student and student/student interaction with the equipment.
o The existing layout consisted of spaces that were isolated and confined, essentially discouraging collaboration. A primary concern of the program was to create spaces that inspired collaboration.

This design creates a functional departmental suite to promote and showcase the collaborative nature of the TV/Radio Studio program, while still allowing individual working environments. The design program includes two classrooms, multiple editing suites, television studio with control room, green room and make-up, a radio studio with announcing booth and private sound booth, offices and conference room for program directors and storage areas for costumes and equipment. In addition to the new spaces, state of the art digital TV and radio production equipment were incorporated into the design.

Special care was given to reflect the character and tradition of the campus through the use of natural stone, school-inspired colors and a mural wall that celebrates the department’s past and present. In order to further showcase this top tier program, an electric glass privacy wall was included behind the new production desk in order to allow visitors to view the inner workings of production during rehearsals and to keep them out of the shots during filming.

The client was also concerned with flexibility in the production studios, which was accommodated in a variety of ways. The broadcasting desk not only included an electric glass privacy wall, but also movable curtains and a retractable green screen to allow for multiple possibilities when filming at the desk. In addition to the production desk, there are also green and white screens on set along with more curtains to allow for an even greater flexibility and indulgence of the student’s creativity.

The entire renovation was designed around the Project Based Learning activities that take place in the TV and Radio Programs. Whether focused on TV or Radio, a cohort of students takes on the real-world task of developing program content, creating a production schedule and collaborating to meet their project goals. Each day, the students create TV and Radio shows that are broadcast over the airwaves and online. The new, highly visible production spaces were designed specifically to make evident the connection between the student defined goals and how they are accomplished.

The nature of the program requires the full integration of technology with the curriculum. In a world where everyone can be a publisher, the design focused on creating an environment for students to develop digital literacy and explore ethical issues involving media. Students are applying their problem-solving skills to not only use the technology, but to develop content. As they work through their tasks, the open design allows “just-in-time” direct instruction and encourages students to teach each other.

The project-based nature of the curriculum lends itself to accommodating multiple learning styles; however, much of the design was developed with Interpersonal Learners in mind. Many of the spaces lend themselves to social interaction and encourage peer-to-peer instruction. The hands-on nature of the studios makes them ideal for Bodily-Kinesthetic Learners, also; nearly all of the learning is associated with an activity.