Wildflower Film Studios Astoria

TRADITIONAL SOUND STAGES — Sound stages are typically organized side by side on large lots, allowing for trucks to deliver goods and services directly to each stage. In the dense urban environment of New York City BIG reimagined this arrangement to house future of storytelling within a reduced foot print.

METROPOLITAN SOUND STAGES — In the borough of Queens, where ground floor space is limited, BIG proposed stacking the sound stages into a vertical studio village. A first for this building type that can serve as a prototype for future studios.

STUDIO VILLAGE — To harness the creative energy that a metropolitan area produces, BIG encloses the studio under a roof that protects production crews from the elements and enables opportunities for communal gathering to encourage the sharing of ideas and inspiration.

FLOATING VILLAGE — The studio is lifted out of the flood zone which gives the opportunity to bring trucks beneath the building for more efficient loading. At the same time this frees up the street and sidewalk for public enjoyment.

SITE — Located along the Steinway Creek at the end of 19th Avenue, the site occupies half of an industrial block in Ditmars Steinway, Queens. The building footprint is offset to allow for a wide public walkway and a publicly accessible waterfront.

MAIN PROGRAM COMPONENTS — Stages and Support.

BIG HOUSE — A uniform-material volume covers the site. The side edges are pushed down to reduce the building height.

FOLDS — Fold-ins placed at strategic locations connect the indoors to the outdoors, let daylight in, and break down the volume’s scale.

WILDFLOWER STUDIOS — The result is a dynamic envelope with a variety of spatial qualities sensible to the program needs- moments of outward connection that still preserve the collaborative intimacy in the production spaces.