Location: Birmingham
Area: 740sqm
Project year: 2004
Contractor: EG Silverthorn
Kerrang! Radio required a contemporary broadcast facility comprising of 3 on air studios, 2 production studios, a news studio, racks room and multifunctional office, zoo area and meeting space. Live music and connectivity was of primary importance throughout so music sessions could be held anywhere and recorded or broadcast live from the studios.
High visual communication and interaction was required to reduce the physical barriers, and glass measuring 3.4×1.7m was installed to the front of the studios. This presented a number of challenges; the logistics of moving it, sound insulation and impact upon room acoustics, this resulted in the design of custom formulated glass.
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VA were responsible for delivering an air conditioning system that reused and reconfigured the existing installation. Equipment in studios and racks runs 24/7 and heat has to be removed to prevent overheating and failure. To maintain station output and operations during power outage an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and standby generator were incorporated into the electrical design. All mission critical equipment is UPS supported and the entire facility maintained by a standby generator.
“Being a vibrant and energetic brand, it was important to bring interesting materials and finishes into the design. Floor tiles were left raw to bring a modern and industrial edge and perforated stainless steel panels were installed over treatments in the studios, together with the huge sheets of glass used in the studios there were a number of acoustic challenges that needed to be overcome, but VA achieved this and the project was a huge success.”
Eloise Veale, Creative Director, Veale Associates