Table Of ContentThis book is dedicated to our children:
Glenn Barr, Lesley Barr, Jessica Bloomfi eld,
Gabriel Bloomfi eld, Corinne Motl and
the electromagnetic spectrum at large.
cover credit:
Main Facade
Entercom Communications
Greenville, South Carolina
Bloomfi eld & Associates, Architects
title page credit:
Concept Section
Entercom Communications
Denver, Colorado
Bloomfi eld & Associates, Architects
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade association
that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and
television stations and broadcast networks before Congress, the
Library of congress information Federal Communications Commission and the Courts.
foreword
T
he planning and design of the facilities from Radio occupies an indelible place in the minds of
which radio broadcasts originate is a multi-faceted listeners. All radio is local, all 13,748 licensed stations
specialty. It involves architecture, interior design, in the United States. It is a growth industry. In the
engineering, and an appreciation of the physical past six years, the number of licensed radio stations
image that the station communicates. has increased by eight percent. Radio, which reaches
ninety-four percent of all consumers every week, is
This book was commissioned by the National much more intimate than other media.
Association of Broadcasters to fulfi ll two primary
objectives. The fi rst is that the professional literature It goes where its listeners go. They take pride in
did not include a thorough and practical guide to their radio preferences. It is part of their urban
help radio station management through the process fabric. Radio stations employ many thousands of
of building or expanding the physical spaces needed talented individuals in every segment of a station’s
to support its format. operations, from talent to support.
Second, the book expands the management and A Face for Radio: Radio Station Planning and Design
technical aspects of radio by integrating the station’s demonstrates how to implement a facility that relates
image in the community as expressed by its physical to the style in which a station’s human resources can
facilities. It includes both the exterior and the most productively function. And, it shows how the
interior. The station could occupy all or part of a free- station’s physical facility assumes the role of an asset
standing structure on a busy highway or street. Or, that infl uences its bo(cid:4) om line, through a subtle and
the station could be located within a multi-purpose on-going affi rmation of its public image.
structure in a city, a mall, or an offi ce park. Both
options o(cid:3) en become se(cid:4) ings for station-sponsored
events where advertisers, community members,
elected offi cials, and talent of all types are invited. David K. Rehr, President and CEO
National Association of Broadcasters
Washington, D.C.
Early Massing Study
Cox Radio
Babylon
preface
A
few years ago, I was asked to present a At about the same time, I began a dialogue with
lecture at the annual National Association of Steven Mitchel, Head Librarian at the NAB. As
Broadcasters Radio Conference on the design of the industry reference resource, he regularly
facilities. At that time, my fi rm had completed receives inquiries from broadcast facility owners,
a half-dozen projects for stations in various engineers and managers as to whether there
parts of the country. I was pleased to have this was a resource for how to design and build
opportunity to think about the lessons learned these facilities. In response to this need for
and pass them on to colleagues and clients. information, the NAB asked us to work on a
book about the design of broadcast facilities.
It became clear early on that while explaining
issues of organization were critical, doing so It had always been clear to us as architects
without also explaining the role of budget, that while television and radio do occasionally
schedule, the design team, and other aspects of sit under one roof, there is relatively li(cid:4) le in
the process le(cid:3) voids in explanation. So I asked common in regard to design. We are pleased to
to change the format from a lecture format to a present here the fi rst of two planned books,
panel and invited a broadcast engineer, a real A Face for Radio: Radio Station Planning and Design.
estate consultant, and a general manager client The second book on television is in the pipeline.
to join the discussion. The turnout and response
to the session were excellent.
Peter Bloomfi eld AIA
Bloomfi eld and Associates, Architects
Philadelphia
Concept Watercolors
Entercom Communications
Denver
acknowledgements
T
hank you eff orts fall into two categories:
The intangible includes just about everyone who into what we hope is a cogent form and format
has made our eff ort interesting if not easier as has relied on several signifi cant individuals.
we designed and worked on the construction Beth Van Why and Lisa Calabro gave their eyes
of broadcast facilities. Good clients make good and intellect as the graphic layout developed.
architecture. They approach a project with The book looks and feels as it does due to their
an open eye and with both experience and a diligence.
willingness to disregard their own preconceived
ideas. They expect their architects to do the Many of the diagrams and statistical research
same. were collated by the architects at Bloomfi eld
& Associates, Architects. Their intelligent and
Without these smart, experienced and careful work over the years has been integral to
considerate men and women – at all levels of the defi ning broadcast facilities as they are today.
industry, in large markets and small, whether
a new building or a small renovation – there The engineering, lighting and furniture
would be fewer good buildings and really no consultants were as integral to the making of this
need for a book such as this. Thank you. book as they are to the making of good facilities.
Finally the best in the industry – those managers
Many individuals have been part of making and engineers who agreed to be interviewed
this book tangible. The taking of o(cid:3) en not fully – consistently set a standard of excellence and
thought through items and converting them should be recognized.
Thank You
Early Image of KDKA, c. 1922 EEqquuiippmmeenntt RRaacckkss
The First Commercial Radio Station in the United States EEnntteerrccoomm CCoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnss
Pittsburgh GGrreeeennvviillllee
introduction
W
hen the federal government eased organizations, whether a stand-alone station
regulations on media ownership in 1997, it serving small towns or a consolidated group
brought about a spate of consolidation. Fledgling sharing facilities on the twenty-third fl oor of a
media groups began to merge and acquire skyscraper in a major metropolitan area.
stations at a rate never before seen in the United There can never be one way to plan and
States. Along with the corporate consolidation implement a design for a facility that will best
came the need and interest in developing serve the current and future needs of a radio
facilities for this new type of media group. station.
The opportunity arose to create a physical Every station whether public or private, in a
manifestation of this new business model small market or large and independent of format
and to rethink this workplace in general. should have its own personality, identifi able by
The architecture of this new model – like the the people who work there and the audience it
corporate plan itself – has continued to evolve. reaches. The process for devising a satisfying
plan for new facilities is both a bubble-up and
The organization of the facility can and should a trickle-down exercise. With the guidance and
refl ect the working style, image, and business expertise of professional consultants, the ideas,
goals of the broadcast facility. This applies to visions, and goals of the participants can be
the headquarters of all types of radio broadcast realized. And, along with the three-dimensional
outcome, will be a perceived pride of ownership.
Massing Options
KPLU at Pacifi c Lutheran University
Tacoma
chapter one
initiating the process: assembling the team
W
hat are your fi rst steps? You know that An orderly process is well worth the eff ort if you
something needs to be done for your current are planning to renovate or build a new facility.
facility. It no longer meets all of your needs. It also off ers the opportunity to create a physical
representation of a new business model and to
Why? rethink the radio station as a workplace.
• You need more space to expand.
• The lease is ending.
It will result in an environment that allows
• You want to bring multiple stations
the entire staff to work at their highest level. A
under one roof.
facility to help everyone do their jobs the best.
• The neighborhood has changed and
you’re looking to relocate. A facility that helps the promotions department
to promote, the sales staff to sell, etc.
So, what is involved in the making of a new
radio station facility? How can it be done in an Critical to this fi rst step is determining who is
organized, aff ordable and satisfying manner? best suited to help form that vision and facilitate
The starting point is fi nding and assembling the the process in a way that allows the entire staff to
right team of staff and professionals who will continue doing what they do best: making radio.
help form the vision and facilitate the process.
