Why We Planned a Building Like the New 1YA Studio

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 23, 14 December 1934, Page 10

Why We Planned a Building Like the New 1YA Studio

Specially Written

by the Architect,

Norman

Wade,

of Messrs.

Wade

and

Bartley,

| Auckland .

1YA studio building, Shortland Street, Auckland, were twofold-the first being the site. This was 2 precipitous piece of land that had lain unused for a considerable period, though situated in an elevated part of the city and conveniently central. It had become overgrown with trees and undergrowth, and on casual inspection appeared to possess disadvantages which doubtless accourited for it remaining practically in its virgin state for such a long period. HB factors which had to be considered in connection with the

-The requirements from the administrative and _ programme aspects were developed, by the general manager of the New Zealand Broadeasting Board, Mr. BE. ©. Hands; and the poard’s engineer, Mr. J. R. Smith, Wag responsible for the special acoustical and technical features, The chairman and members of the board econferred with the architects and the poard’s officers as the plans progressed, and decisions Were made as a result. The desirability of having all the — studios

controlled from one floor determined the size of the building. The next consideration was the accommodation required for the business of broadcasting and the administration of broadcasting services, and to design a structure that would be capable of serving its purpose. A. study of these requirements showed that the planning of the studios, control room, announcer’s room, and for the installation of the technical equipment, were the first essentials and of the greatest importance, The grouping of the studios with the control room centrally positioned formed the key to the whole scheme. The shape. and

size of the site made it possible to arrange these On one floor, It was important to provide protection against inter-studio interference, and for the exclusion of extraneous noises. The development of the plan proved that the Broadcasting Board had chosen a site possessing many virtues for its special uses, and these became more and more apparent as the work of planning proceeded. Pach studio required to be insulated from sound, and . brickwork of considerable thickness was the medium adopted to surround the studios-the customary steel frame

or reinforced concrete methods of construction were eliminated. Artificial illumination, ventilation and heating of the studios and other adjacent accommodation were necessarily resorted to," because of the difficulty of making windows or other openings soundproof. In effect, each room is an airtight compartment. The doors are a special feature, and required to be made soundproof as each studio had to be sound insulated one from another. ‘To obtain the maximum efficiency in doorways, it was necessary to break the‘ contact between the different materials by the use of acoustical insulating products of varying nature,

The control operator has a clear vision from the control room of the many separate studios-this is obtained by means of large observation wndows, carefully placed in walls vps specially-made frames, each of whith. is glazed with three thicknesses of plateglass of varying thicknesses, and so spaced to exclude sound. The Broadcasting Board, having determined the particular use that each studio was to serve, and incidentally the optimum reverberation time required, calculations were then made and suitable material selected with which to clothe the de-

signs to obtain the required acoustic quality. The main en-, trance lounge is no entirely treated, in this manner, and obtains natural light by means of a circular glazed dome, which forms a feature of the ceiling. A wide staircase descends to the artists’ lounge on the floor pelow, from which entrance to the large studio thereon is gained. The dimensions of this particular studio are 60ft. long, 40ft. wide, and is the height of two storeys of the structure. Entry te’ the

other studios which are situated, on the top floor is from the main lounge, and separated therefrom by lobbies, each of which is furnished with soundproof doors fixed in two places. An echo room has also been provided on this floor. The first floor down contains the administration offices, director’s room, relay equipment, library, programm organiser’s room, and records together with a specially insulated Tecord *testing room, the walls and ceilings of which are treated where necessary to reduce the noise level in the respective departments, and to further protect the studios above. ‘The

On the Air Next Week New IYA and Test Transmissions THE finishing touches are now being put to the new Auckland studios in Shortland Street and the transmitting plant at Henderson, and, on Monday next, December 17, the new. 1YA will take over from the old station. "We want the listening public to understand, however, that the new station is merely on test transmissions for a week or two," said the general manager of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board (Mr. E. C. Hands) to a "Radio Record" representative this week. "Should the engineers find it necessary to make any adjustments during the running of a programme the new station will go off the air and the old 1YA transmitter will temporarily resume the service, The official opening of the new station will take place in January at a date yet to be fixed."

7 7 4 second floor down provides a reservation of space for future developments in the service, including equipment and testing rooms. A suite of rooms -is planned for the living quarters of the resident officer. The bottom floor houses the heating and ventilation equipment, comprising insulated Plenum chamber, fresh air,’ and exhaust chambers, air screening, washing, and heating apparatus, together with the requisite duct system supplying the studios with a regulated volume of fresh air, of a regulated temperature and humidity. The heating of the remainder of the building is by means of an electric hot water system automatically controlled, with convectors placed in the various rooms to obtain the maximum distribution, . The system of air ducts has its origin at the lower floor, and°‘these are divided and insulated, and extend upward finally entering the studios independently. Many are of considerable size, and have been incorporated in the designs with semi-concealed inlets and outlets. Provision for both the present installation and future requirements of the many wired circuits and services hag been made in such manner that each studio can be reached from the control.room without disturbance to any part of the permanent structure. Economy has been a& necessary consideration, and much thought given to the design in consequence. In conclusion, we would mention the valuable services rendered by Mr. B. G. Le Petit, A.N.Z.LA., and Mr. Philip R. Dunkley, A.M.I., structural engineer, who have been associated in the work, and also that of Mr. H. W. Jay, A.I.H.YV.E., heating and yentilating engineer, of the firm of Messrs. A. and T. Burt, Ltd., and Mr, Frank A. Brown, M.4B.LC., M.N.Z.S8.C.E., consulting electrical engineer. The contract for the work wis entrusted to Messrs... Chas. W. Ravenhall, Limited, of Auckland.