Client: Network Ten
Location: Saunders Street, Sydney, NSW
Project Type: Capital Project – Broadcast Studio Fit‑Out (CRE)
Project Value: AUD $3 million
Project Duration: 2001
Role: Design & Construct Delivery Lead
Strategic Objective
As Network Ten relocated its Sydney operations to the Saunders Street facility, leadership required a new flagship news studio that could support contemporary broadcast standards, reinforce brand identity, and operate reliably under live‑production conditions.
The objective was to design, construct, and commission Studio 1 as a modern, high‑performance news studio—one that enhanced functionality, supported fast‑paced newsroom workflows, and projected a confident, professional on‑air presence from day one.
The Challenge / Need
Network Ten’s existing studio infrastructure no longer aligned with:
- Evolving broadcast technology standards
- Increased production intensity and turnaround expectations
- Contemporary brand presentation requirements
Key challenges included:
- Integrating advanced broadcast technology into a constrained fit‑out environment
- Designing layouts that supported live news production workflows
- Minimising downtime and disruption to ongoing broadcast operations
- Delivering a studio that was both technically robust and visually authoritative
This was not simply an interior upgrade—it was core broadcast capability.
Project Scope
The Design & Construct engagement included:
- Studio architectural and technical design
- Broadcast lighting, audio, visual, and acoustic integration
- Electrical, mechanical, and services coordination
- Studio fit‑out construction
- Systems testing, commissioning, and handover
All works were required to align with live broadcast schedules and operational handover requirements.
Our Approach
A broadcast‑first delivery model was adopted—prioritising operational performance, reliability, and brand impact.
Key elements included:
- Operational Assessment: Review of the existing studio environment and production workflows
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Close engagement with Network Ten production, technical, and leadership teams
- Technology Integration: Deployment of contemporary broadcast systems including high‑definition cameras, lighting, and acoustic solutions
- Workflow‑Driven Layout: Studio reconfiguration to improve sightlines, equipment access, and production movement
- Design & Construct Discipline: Single‑point accountability to reduce interface risk and compress delivery timeframes
Every design decision was tested against live‑broadcast reality.
Risks and Challenges
Key risks requiring deliberate management included:
- Technology integration complexity across multiple broadcast systems
- Tight delivery timelines aligned to studio move‑in dates
- Minimal tolerance for commissioning interruptions or post‑handover defects
- Ensuring design choices supported both aesthetic and operational needs
These risks were mitigated through early coordination, disciplined testing, and staged commissioning.
Solution & Key Deliverables
The project delivered:
- A fully commissioned Studio 1 News Studio
- Integrated high‑definition cameras, broadcast lighting, and acoustic treatments
- Optimised studio layout supporting efficient production workflows
- A visually strong, brand‑aligned studio environment
- Fully tested and operational systems ready for live broadcast
Outcome
The project achieved:
- A modern, high‑performance news studio supporting Network Ten’s Sydney operations
- Improved production quality and broadcast capability
- Faster, more efficient news production workflows
- A studio environment aligned to Network Ten’s brand and editorial positioning
- On‑time delivery supporting seamless transition into the new facility
Network Ten gained a future‑ready broadcast asset that strengthened its on‑air presence and operational confidence.
Value‑Added Differentiator
- Broadcast‑Critical Expertise: Studios designed for live production realities
- Design & Construct Accountability: Reduced risk through single‑point delivery
- Operational Empathy: Layouts and systems aligned to newsroom workflows
- Brand‑Aware Design: Visual authority without operational compromise
- Schedule Discipline: Delivery aligned to immovable broadcast timelines
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