About Alibaba’s Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group Studios
Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group Studios is the audio, video, and web-content development arm of Chinese multinational technology company Alibaba – the largest e-commerce platform in the world. The studio team, which also includes YOUKU and Damai Entertainment Group, is responsible for the creation of a wide array of cultural and entertainment audio, video, and gaming content for both users and Alibaba industry partners.
The group is centered at Alibaba’s Headquarters in Beijing, China.
The Story
Alibaba commissioned the construction of a new A/V production facility to meet the infrastructure needs of its core content creation businesses. WSDG was chosen as partner for this project as a globally renowned acoustic and A/V technology consulting and design firm.
The WSDG team was tasked with a full recording studio design and systems package for the new facility, including master planning, acoustic design, technical interior design, and A/V systems design. WSDG was also entrusted with defining the visual identity of the facility as a whole, as well as giving each studio section its own unique feel matched to its purpose.
The Studio
Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group Studios is an inspiring creative environment spread across multiple distinct production areas for each of Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group’s content focuses. It is a high-quality, acoustically controlled environment with abundant natural lighting and a warm interior aesthetic to encourage a bright, artistic environment.
The studio facility includes four control rooms, a large live room, a central machine room and multiple iso booths – providing a one-stop, full-chain service for film and television audio post-production. This significantly enhances the overall work efficiency, reduces communication costs, and allows for greater focus on the creative work itself. Each control room has a specialized purpose and is equipped accordingly.
Control Room A
Control Room A (65m²) is oriented for Music Production and features an AMS Neve Genesys Black G4 Console, ATC SCM300ASL Pro and Amphion Dolby Atmos Monitoring for 9.1.6. production. It features a clean, minimalist design with a cream coloring and embedded LED lighting with a warm wooden floor. It also features a raised circular platform and comfortable couch for artists to sit during mixing.
Control Room B
Control Room B (30m²) is designated for ADR Vocal Recording with a smaller performance space located behind it. It includes a Kali Dolby Atmos Monitor System for 7.1.4. Both Control Rooms A and B have ample sightlines to the live rooms and iso booths for visual connection between the engineers and talent. Control B features a clean white design, with a futuristic aesthetic.
Control Room C
Control Rooms C is the larger of the two immersive mixing rooms, and includes an Avid/CB Electronics Mix Controller and Genelec 7.1.4. Dolby Atmos Monitoring System. Control Room C has a darker look with circular ceiling details and LED lighting.
Control Room D
Control Room D is also an immersive mix room, and includes a Kali 7.1.4. Atmos Monitoring System.
Quotes
“Our collaboration with WSDG has given us a deep appreciation of their exceptional professionalism. They took the time to truly listen and understand our needs, and every step—from design to implementation—was carried out with rigor, attention to detail, and thoughtful consideration. The final space is not only functionally sound, but also reflects a profound understanding of sound and art, filled with creativity and inspiration. More than just a workplace, it feels like a vessel that energizes and nurtures creation. We look forward to using this space to work alongside peers, focusing steadily on producing more meaningful and impactful work.”
Alibaba’s Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group Studios Team
Silvia Molho, WSDG Partner, Art Director
The design approach combined Alibaba’s vision for minimalist, modernist spaces with the complex technical demands of world-class AV production. Each control room was designed as a unique entity with its own spatial logic, yet all maintain visual cohesion through light wood details and custom technical furniture. The curved ceilings and flowing soffits were not only aesthetic choices – their geometries were precisely shaped to enhance acoustic and visual performance. Lighting plays a defining role, following the orientation of the acoustic treatment to emphasize structure and add movement through subtle changes in luminance and color.
A soft white palette dominates most areas, allowing light to shape the ambience, while progressively darker tones in certain control rooms optimize visual work for film and video mixing. We worked meticulously on every ceiling, wall, and object to ensure that every detail serves a technical and sensory purpose. Within the simple structures of the Alibaba building, we created a technical interior that offers a true journey for the senses.
Víctor Cañellas (Weike), WSDG China Senior Representative
Working alongside Alibaba’s Hujing Digital Media & Entertainment Group Studios visionary team was a masterclass in synchronized decision-making. Every schematic review, equipment selection, and finish choice was evaluated in real time, maintaining a perfect balance between creative, technical, and commercial considerations.
I would especially like to recognize the ZhongCe Jiansheng construction team, who, during sub-zero holiday shifts, protected our acoustic tolerances and aesthetic standards as if they were their own. Their meticulous weekly reports allowed WSDG team to supervise remotely without compromising a single STC rating or wood grain detail.
This world-class studio stands as a testament to the passionate commitment of multiple cooperation between supremely talented teams.