Precedents: MFG Studios, Sora x Niwa Ginza, Radio Corse Frequenza Mora, Pandora

MFG Studios

MFG Studios is a creative music complex in Stockholm with 300 sqm of studios and rehearsal spaces combined in a creative environment designed and built by the founder and owner Mikael Klavius.

Mikael Klavius comes from a background as Musician, Sound Designer and Art Director. He is one of the founders of the creative agency Böfüms Stockholm based design studio consisting of collaborating designers and art directors.

Klavius functions as Creative Director at MFG Studios, he finds new talents and works with artists, producers and writers. In 2014 MFG got nominated for the Music video they made for their artist Yushichi at the Berlin Music Video Festival and the MFG artist Finess got nominated for Best EP of the year at the Swedish hiphop gala Kingesize. The Swedish Eurovision contest winner 2014 Sanna Nielsen – Undo was recorded at MFG Studios. MFG also mixed parts of the Swedish Grammy winner Lorentz debut album Kärlekslåtar.

MFG Studios designed by it's owner demonstrates a perfect combination of wood and concreate. Each recording studio has been isolated by acoustic wood panels which not only look sophisticated but also take the noise down and create an unique atmostphere in the space. Innovative furniture and 'DIY' alike tables give the interior the 'raw' and industrial feeling which also describes the studio's personality.

Sora x Niwa Ginza

Sora x Niwa Ginza are radio producers based in Ginza, Tokyo. The broadcast studio have been designed in 2013 by Okka architects and characterises itsef by a very sophisticated, colourful and cold interior. The open plan cafeteria and waiting area for both visitors and members of staff despite the use of a wide range of colours and unique shaped bespoke furniture looks very professional and welcoming. The broadcasting rooms where the radio station uses for interwievs are very simplistic but warm, and comfortable.

Radio Corse Frequenza Mora

'This roof is a gesture, the gesture of a paper in the palm of a hand, which made random facets, gave him a lot of lightness, and came suspend as a link, a bridge .... between the ramparts and the city, between a historical context that still lives on the plot and a contemporary program, public place tomorrow between two volumes simply to house the offices of RCFM.' atel’erarchitecture

The Radio Corse Frequenza Mora is a perfect combination of incorporating modern architecture into an vintage building. the simplity of the interior in combination with the outstanding roof pattern and the used of mirrowed glass creates an unique and very successful combination. Although the interior of the station coud be more incorporated and open.

Pandora

Internet radio service provider Pandora sought out STUDIOS to redesign a portion of their existing office space to better reflect the company’s culture and brand, as well as to help attract and retain talent in the fiercely competitive Bay Area tech hub. The design draws inspiration from their urban location in uptown Oakland as well as from classic music archetypes. The reception and main break area look out at the historic Paramount Theater, located just across the street.

The space includes the new main reception area, break areas, open work areas, meeting and training rooms, and comfortable lounges. The star of the show is the custom booth seating area that forms the word RADIO; each lettered booth illuminates upon entry.

A series of phone booth rooms were modeled on recording studios; the rooms are named to pay tribute to the members of The Beatles, and to the Simon and Garfunkel song “Scarborough Fair,” among others. Meeting rooms and gathering areas were named for the places where music is experienced: The Porch, The Garage, The School, The Train, and The Shop. A circular assembly space, The Park, looks out to an adjacent roof garden. Portal walls provide live feeds between floors, and between the Oakland and New York offices.

As part of this effort, we collaborated with the client’s design department to develop environmental graphics that embody music trends and paradigms. The new space has garnered an enthusiastic response from employees, and has quickly become an important recruiting tool.

The precedents shown above have been an inspiration for designing an open workspace for the members of staff of the BBC Radio as well as open an recording studio in the basement to support the local artists and encourage the public to broadcasting.