BUENOS AIRES: As the focal point of a major international expansion, the recently completed MTV Networks Latin America Studio complex in Buenos Aires represents a major Viacom, Inc. commitment. Designed as the creative production center for MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon, the 40,000 square foot complex features a production /post-production hub created by the Walters-Storyk Design Group. The eighteen-month-long project was led by WSDG-LA, founding partner Sergio Molho and company co-principal John Storyk.

“Built within the footprint of a former motion picture production studio, MTV’s Latin America Studios represent a significant investment for Viacom, an important source of new jobs for the Buenos Aires creative community, and one of the most ambitious assignments of our 20+year relationship with WSDG,� Molho said.

Recommended for the project by Adrian Costoya, a leading Argentine post-production manager, WSDG was tasked with developing ten identical video post-production suites, designed to accommodate the full spectrum of MTV requirements, from design and production of animated promos and opens to audio and video editing of original and acquired material. The complex encompasses two television studios, master control room, CMR and main server room and 5.1 audio post suite and iso booth.

“Sound isolation was a primary concern for the television studios,� Molho reports. “To eliminate sound leakage the 2000 square foot Studio A and adjacent 600 sq. ft.

Studio B were built with room-within-room/floating floor construction. This enables them to function simultaneously on separate projects ranging from an MTV Unplugged performance to a Nickelodeon show. Fortunately, our 3000+ studio design track record which includes facilities for WNET, Food Network and many other broadcast and critical listening room clients has fully prepared us for this task,� he adds.

In keeping with WSDG SOP, Molho engaged input from the firm’s entire 50+ member designer/engineering team. Drawings, technical information, lighting, HVAC and the full spectrum of systems integration issues were reviewed and resolved during an on-going virtual collaboration between the South American, U.S. and European offices. Interior design was supervised by company art director/co-principal Silvia Molho. Technology featured in the MTV Buenos Aires complex includes: Digidesign, Pro Tools HD3, Genelic speakers and Focusright Preamps.

“We are fortunate to have built a deeply proficient team of experts throughout our international organization,� John Storyk remarked. “Today’s sophisticated communications technology enables us to collaborate with a high degree of efficiency. This flexibility was particularly advantageous on the MTV Latin America project, as parent company Viacom Inc. is committed to maintaining full compatibility with the ‘look and feel of MTV Network’s worldwide.’

Photos:

1. Exterior MTV Latin America Network Studios, Buenos Aires
2. MTV Latin America Network Studios’ Pro Tools Audio Post Suite
3. MTV Latin America Network Studios’ double height entrance to production area
4. WSDG LA Floor Plan, MTV Network Latin America Studios

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The Walters-Storyk Design Group www.wsdg.com has designed over 3000 media production facilities in the U.S., Europe, the Far East and Latin America. WSDG credits range from the original Jimi Hendrix Electric Lady Studio in Greenwich Village to NYC’s Jazz At Lincoln Center performance complex, broadcast facilities for The Food Network, Interlochen Public Radio, CBS and WNET, and corporate clients such as Hoffman La Roche. Recent credits include private studios for the Goo Goo Dolls, Jay-Z, Timbaland’s Tim Mosley, film composer Carter Burwell, Aerosmith; Green Day, Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys. WSDG principals John Storyk, Beth Walters, and Dirk Noy lecture frequently at universities and industry events, and contribute regularly to industry publications. WSDG is a six-time winner of the prestigious TEC Award for outstanding achievement in Acoustics/Facility Design. The firm maintains offices in NY, SF, Miami, Buenos Aires, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Beijing, and Basil, Switzerland.