Seattle KCPQ Fox 13 Studio
Project Stats
- Location
Seattle, Washington
- Size
23,000 SF
- Market
- Expertise
Best-in-class studio
Seattle KCPQ Fox 13 partnered with Corgan to design a state-of-the-art broadcast studio equipped with cutting-edge technology and multi-use spaces. The move to the newly redeveloped Axis9 tower in downtown Seattle positions the station as an anchor tenant in the heart of the city, reflecting a long-term commitment to the future of the station and the vitality of the surrounding community.
Encompassing the entire second floor, the 23,000-square-foot facility features thoughtfully planned spaces to support what the studio does best: create award-winning broadcasts and best-in-class media projects to inspire and engage the people of the Pacific Northwest.
The next-generation studio features the latest in live-production technology, including high-definition audio and video equipment, individually controlled studio lighting, and 4K-capable cameras positioned to operate from angles that can be easily reconfigured between filming. Crews have the flexibility to work in three distinct studio settings — news desk, podcast, and a small studio.
Interiors that reflect the Pacific Northwest
Located in the heart of Seattle’s pedestrian-friendly Denny Triangle, a neighborhood known for its modern architecture, dining scene, and proximity to the Seattle Center, Space Needle, and Paramount Theatre, the studio’s interiors were designed to blend into the urban setting, honor the Fox brand, and reflect the surrounding natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
Corgan’s interiors team developed a palette and material language for the studio drawn directly from the region. Deep blues and rich green colors evoke the area’s mountain ranges, coastal scenes, and dense forests, grounding visitors with a sense of place as soon as they arrive.
In the elevator lobby, guests are greeted by a striking piece of artwork of Mount Ranier positioned behind the reception desk. Set against a bold, black wall with white oak surfaces and trim, the composition is cleverly designed to replicate the optical experience of looking through the frame of a camera lens — a nod to the studio’s creative mission from the very first impression.
White oak flooring was chosen for its warm, West Coast aesthetic and its practicality for the rolling of film equipment that is frequently moved around the studio between takes.
Reimagined capabilities with a challenging footprint
Designing a broadcast-grade facility on the second floor of a building constructed in the 1980s presented the distinct challenge of low existing ceiling height. Using a combination of partially exposed ceilings, open ceiling areas, and bright white paint to create a sense of openness and volume, Corgan’s problem-solving capabilities resulted in a space that feels expansive and dynamic rather than compressed.
Acoustic performance was a priority from the beginning of the project. Corgan collaborated closely with consultants to address layouts, room shapes, and finishes that would yield optimal acoustic environments for the studio’s sensitive and critical spaces. Layers of acoustic support, from low background noise control and strong speech privacy to sound isolation and reverberation management, create an environment that supports both the precision of live production and the wellbeing of the team.
The studio contains latest production technology for prerecorded and live broadcasts with high-definition video and audio equipment, digital monitors, overhead camera, and pipe grid lighting with studio lights that are color tunable and individually controllable from the control booth. Sound-absorbing acoustic panels create quality recording experiences and double as a customizable wall display.
Additionally, the facility includes several TV-ready presentation areas and specialty rooms including audio booths for voiceovers, editing suits and bays, and a makeup room for guests and anchors. A spacious terrace adjacent to the kitchen extends the studio footprint, offering the team an additional place to host cooking segments both indoors and outdoors.
Together, the technical rigor, warmth of materials, and regional identity establish a new benchmark broadcast facility design for Fox on the West Coast. This purpose-built studio is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern media and the long-term needs of the station and its team.
