The Phoenix International Media Center in Beijing unveiled its state-of-the-art studio in April 2016. It was designed by HEAD Architecture and Design Ltd, which had earlier completed Phoenix Television’s headquarters in Taipo, Hong Kong, in 2008.
In both projects, the aim was to accommodate Phoenix’s vision of a space that pushes the boundaries of technological and functional practicalities, while accounting for structure, acoustics, lighting, flexibility and adjacencies.
“With millions of people in China watching the space every day and so many important visitors to the space, whether politicians, advertising partners or affiliate networks, it should never be underestimated how much the look and feel of the interior contributes to the broadcaster’s brand,” said Mark Panckhurst, director of HEAD.
Unlike typical TV studios, Phoenix has invested in spacious and vibrant studios that serve as impressive and dynamic backdrops for the news, which can be shot from every angle.
The three-storey space in Beijing is bigger and taller than its Hong Kong studio. Instead of a large spread-out plan, the designers created multiple levels of tiered, circular platforms that serve as workspaces, walkways or balconies, overlooking a ‘valley’ in the centre. The staggered heights create an illusion of a studio that is many more levels higher than it actually is. The layout enables many different camera views of the space and unlimited options for conducting television interviews.
The entire interior design echoes the circular motion theme. The news desk, cocooned by a curved LED video wall background, sends ripples throughout the studio, creating a myriad of corners, curves and light. Circular staircases feature semi-transparent risers, while cylindrical columns sheathed in backlit glass panels offer new reflections at each turn, which are highlighted by curving walkways. LED lighting allows whole wall sections to change colour on demand.
Bands of lighting panels are installed on the underside of the overhanging platforms. Many of these areas are topped with ring-shaped halos suspended from vertical poles, with short, frosted glass panels atop the solid half walls.
The studio’s glass-wrapped control room is seemingly suspended from the ceiling, with an LED ticker around it that is visible from the workspaces below. Other glassed-in collaboration areas allow for both meetings and informal gatherings.
The layout is an intentional meandering path that allows staff and visitors to explore the space in three dimensions. Recalling the zig-zag bridges of classical Chinese gardens, the many corners invite staff and visitors alike to pause to talk or just admire the view.
Physical and 3D models were used by the designers for a better understanding of how the space works and looks from every possible camera angle, including from ceiling-mounted tracks and floor jibs. The entire studio is constructed with reinforced concrete for sound isolation and absorption, and this had to be factored into the structural design of the whole building.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Phoenix International Media Center
Location: Beijing, China
Completion Date: April 2016
Gross Floor Area: 1,200 square metres
Building Height: 3 storeys
Client/Owner: Phoenix Satellite Television Company Ltd
Architecture Firm
External building: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design
Interior Design Firm: HEAD Architecture and Design Ltd
Principal Designer: Mark Panckhurst
Interior Fit-Out Contractor: Golden Mantis
Images: Brian Zhang; Mark Panckhurst
