Nevin Hedlund planned the studio space, located in Chicago at 51 E. Pearson, and, with Loyola, hired Chicago Scenic in 2009 to design the studio. Once Chicago Scenic’s Design Manager Tom Ryan completed design and Hedlund and the Loyola staff – led by Dean Don Heider and Project Manager Theresa Woyczynski – approved them, Loyola hired Chicago Scenic to fabricate the new studio elements.

Conceived as a working classroom, the Studio features several distinct areas, including the main anchor desk, green screen with movable monitor, radio interview area, and student work stations. At the project inception, Ryan sketched out rough ideas for the various areas and, with CSSI’s Senior Project Manager Gary Heitz, began discussions with various team members about the space’s requirements.

“The University President was totally committed to this project,” Woyczynski said. “The minute funds were approved, we had our first meeting with CSSI. We knew from the beginning that this was a super tight schedule, but if we didn’t open the doors on January 19 (when the semester started), we would have lost an entire year”. To open on time, Chicago Scenic worked with General Contractor b. Stromberg Construction, audio and video equipment supplier Roscor, and Evolution Interiors.

“You rarely work on a project that, when it is done, completely exceeds your expectations. This one did,” Heider said, “for two reasons. The architect inserted a round wall in a square space and suddenly a big cement column in the middle of the space became an asset rather than a deficit. Then Ryan picked up on that and used angles and curves to define the theme of the studio.”

The completed Studio features six different laminates in deep red tones used throughout the 1300 sq. foot space to provide color and texture and unify the individually designated areas. Luminart®, a wavy, textural material used extensively, is complemented by a scenic artist’s interpretation of the 3D material on the Studio’s columns and curved walls in the Radio and Green Screen areas.

The Studio represented some unique challenges, Ryan noted, because it backs up to street level corner windows. That location adds visual interest and a strong product branding opportunity. But it also demands different requirements than a closed studio would. Since the wild walls – portable walls used to create different studio looks – can be seen from both an outside and inside view, they are finished on two sides instead of one. The Anchor Desk area also required additional privacy panels – a “knee” wall positioned behind the anchor desk serves as a modesty panel for the talents’ backs.