A new home for an Arabic language satellite TV broadcaster based in London.
This is a state of the art facility for a well established station comprising open plan and cellular offices, recording studios, large server room, broadcasting and control rooms, editing suites, storage, reception and recreational spaces arranged over two floors and more than 1,200 sqm. The concept was to create a clean modern palette of materials and muted colours with a focus on strong visual identity through signage and wayfinding.
A strategy of glazed inner rooms and full height glazing in the central corridor was adopted to bring light deep into the plan and connect the reception to all departments. Full height doors and photographic panels and a rigorous use of material de-clutter the space and give it clarity. Layering of glass and borrowing light creates depth and expansiveness through increased views and reflections.
The visual identity theme is broadcasting and works with the long sight lines at eye level to create continuity and rhythm, which is used to differentiate between ground and first floor signage. Gradients symbolise the invisible nature of broadcasting signals and this effect is used on photography and patterned panels with dots adopted from Arabic script.
