Final Cut: Jupiter Entertainment’s new production studio in New York combines office and editing spaces
By John Caulfield, Senior Editor
Jupiter Entertainment is a production company that does work for TV channels as wide-ranging as A&E, Animal Planet, Discovery, and TrueTV. Its newest production studio, on the fourth floor of 136 Madison Avenue in New York City, was fitted out to meet its specific design requirements for client hosting, comfortable workspaces for employees, and efficient and functional editing suites.
The design for this $1.34 million, 20,343-sf renovated space includes three conference rooms, 17 offices located along the interior perimeter, 16 workstations, 40 benching desks, and two dozen 7- by 9-ft edit bays.
However, the original plan by Collier International, which owns this building, was to use this space as a marketing center to attract tenants. That floor was to feature a conference room, reception area, pantry, and restrooms with variations on the building’s standard finish.
Once Jupiter came on board, the project’s designer, Montroy Andersen DeMarco (MADGI) changed the program, and performed a test-fit to ensure the space would suit a production company.
This project presented some challenges, not the least being its tight four-month schedule. The required electrical load was greater than what a typical office might call for, so MADGI had to figure out how to fit all the conduits into the walls. And furniture had to be selected for some narrower-than-usual meeting and huddle rooms.
The production studio includes 24 edit bays. Image: Peter Dressel/Wilk Marketing Communications
MADGI specified a balanced design look with bright red wall sections contrasting with neutral white-and-gray palette that complement the existing concrete floors.
Part of the floor is an annexed four-story building with four skylights and views of adjacent buildings. MADGI used this layout to create the floor’s social pantry that incorporates a 12-person conference room to anchor the office’s north wing.
Linear LED lighting is used throughout the office and studio, and MADGI specified 4- x 8-ft rectangular linear LEDs to accent space.
The project Team included Phase 3 Associates (GC), and MG Engineering (MEP). Nienkämper supplied the conference room furniture.