Evolution Design's Innovative Audio Center for Rtl

Award-Winning Design Fuses Music and Berlin's Urban Vibe

Relocating to new premises, Rtl commissioned this audio center to house its four Berlin radio stations. The center is not just a workspace but an inspirational journey into the world of audio entertainment. The interiors reference the gritty, hip nature of Berlin and its iconic locations, giving the center a unique identity.

The design of the entire space is linked by a Roter Faden, a common thread in German, a journey into both the world of music and the vibrant German capital. Design elements such as light profiles, neon lights, wall graphics, and furniture, all in Rtl's trademark red, curl through the center. A Pink Floyd inspired wall features Gold records and award trophies, while meeting rooms styled as famous Berlin bars, shared flats, and verdant parks pay homage to the iconic city.

To create a loft-like interior, finishes such as gunmetal, plywood, and solid wood were used alongside glazed partition walls, perforated cladding panels, faux brick, denim-textured carpets, and custom-made graffiti-style murals. Handrails from Berlin U-Bahn add an urban touch. Striking lighting solutions, including custom-made lights resembling microphones and a lighting feature that suggests sunshine filtering through treetops, further evoke both the music industry and city life.

The new audio center is home to four radio stations: 104,6 Rtl, 105,5 Spree Radio, 93.6 Jam Fm, and Rtl Germany's Hitradio. The total area of the audio center is 2,700 square meters, and it provides space for nearly 200 staff. The layout reflects user journeys through the space. The reception is the most public area and gives visitors an insight into the workings of a radio station. The hub, a semi-public space at the heart of the audio center, encourages employees, guests, and music stars to get together, socialise, and entertain.

The project was completed in January 2021 after a duration of 2.5 years. The overall aim of the project was to rethink radio and audio production and to design an inspirational and technologically advanced hub for media industry workers, in which they feel comfortable, motivated, and creative. The integration of four separate music channels, all with their own identities, into one wing of the space, was a key aspect of the design. This approach delivers the synergies of one broadcasting house rather than having each station as an individual and unconnected entity.

The project faced two challenges. The production and broadcasting studios required specialised construction including double-studded thick gypsum walls set at angles, and interior glazing set at a slant in order to deliver an optimum sound environment. A second challenge lay in creating interiors that reflect the energy of the music industry and retain an air of timelessness, they should not date too quickly, and also cater for the variety of music styles played by the four stations. Despite these challenges, Evolution Design was successful in creating an innovative and engaging space, earning them a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021.