Boston Site Visit: WGBH Public Radio

The visit to the WGBH public radio & television studios on the first day of the field study gave some fresh takeaways for future projects. Most importantly, the need to understand and plan for alternative uses by a facility. A large portion of the studios revenue now comes from event rentals, spanning from Bar Mitzvahs to Fund Raisers. A high-end screening room necessary for the stations core business function can be leased for shows, presentations, and the film & sound needs secondary or primary. There is a large foyer with projectors, serving stations, lighting, and sound - all of which served core functions and event needs. The loading docks were located adjacent to the catering kitchen and serving space, and the electricity needs for the cooking ovens where provided on the docks themselves, allowing for unloading and immediate hookup. This ease-of-use has made WGBH a caterers top choice, therefore recommended by all event planners. In addition, the building gave good, hands-on examples of LEED materials and methods, which also added to the “wow” factor for use as an event space. The preplanning for audio, video and plumbing modifications enhanced the flexibility of the space. Sound & Film could be recorded from almost every location in the building. Each film studio had plumbing needs just in case there was a “cooking show” or other need. Without this preplanning the future retrofits costs would have made most of this impossible. 

Written by Josh Lowder, CCIM MRED, 2013