Project Description

Overview

Alibaba is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, retail, and internet services, boasting the largest B2B, C2C, and B2C marketplaces in the world. As part of the company’s rapid expansion into audio, video, and gaming content production, Alibaba contracted WSDG to design them an A/V studio facility located within their multi-building headquarters in Beijing, China

Program

The WSDG team was tasked with a full recording studio design and systems package for the new facility, including master planning, architectural 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.

Design

The studio facility includes four control rooms, a large live room, a central machine room and multiple iso booths. Each control room has a specialized purpose and is equipped accordingly.

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 (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 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 is also an immersive mix room, and includes a Kali 7.1.4. Atmos Monitoring System.