COLUMBUS -- Recently allocated $1.25 million of the State of Ohios 2020 capital budget, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) has combined a portion of the State funds which must be used for the repair, reconstruction, or construction of physical property with donations from private sources to begin a $900,000 renovation of the historic Ohio Theatres loge, mezzanine, and balcony.

A complete overhaul of the Ohio Theatres loge (or first seven rows of upper-level seating) began last week to reconstruct the aisle steps and implement new handrails. The railings lining the front and back of the loge will be upgraded and replaced as well, and new carpeting will be installed.

In addition, new handrails and carpet will be installed in the mezzanine and balcony (the remaining 25 rows of upper-level seating) and the railings lining the front and rear of each section will be upgraded and replaced.

This renovation was originally slated for the summer of 2020, but was suspended indefinitely as CAPA and other local arts organizations battle the effects of the pandemic, stated CAPA President and CEO Chad Whittington. These funds come at the perfect time, allowing us the opportunity to make use of the shutdown in a positive way.

"This renovation is an important safety enhancement for our patrons when we are able to welcome them back to the Ohio Theatre again, enabling us to offer an even better customer experience. We are very grateful to the State of Ohio for its acknowledgement of the beloved Ohio Theatre.

CAPA will employ all local contractors for the renovation which is expected to conclude in mid-May.

While plans are still in development, CAPA will utilize the balance of the capital budget allocation funds and private donations to implement further improvements to the Ohio Theatre including renovation of the mezzanine concessions area, enhanced wayfinding signage, and ADA accessibility upgrades.

All of the performance spaces owned or managed by CAPA closed March 12, 2020, as a result of the Governors executive order prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people.

Upon the Governors August 2020 reopening guidelines allowing public events at 15% of venue capacity, the Ohio Theatre has hosted a small number of public, socially distanced events such as an abbreviated CAPA Summer Movie Series and Columbus Symphony performances.

About the Ohio Theatre

The Spanish Baroque-style, 2,791-seat Ohio Theatre, designed by world-famous architect Thomas Lamb as a palace for the average man, opened on March 17, 1928, as a Loews movie house complete with its own orchestra and theatre organ.

In addition to movies, vaudeville found a home on the Ohio stage, boasting performances from legends such as Milton Berle, Cab Calloway, Buddy Ebsen, Jean Harlow, and Ginger Rogers.

The Ohio Theatre thrived as a movie house until the suburban sprawl of the 1960s drew traffic out of downtown, and Loews closed its doors on February 24, 1969. Sold to a local development company with plans to raze it, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) was established on May 21, 1969, with the immediate mission to save the theatre from being destroyed.

The newly formed non-profit leapt to rally the community in a Save the Ohio campaign that ultimately raised more than $2 million in less than a year. The unprecedented effort met its mark, and the glorious and beloved Ohio Theatre was saved.

Today, the Ohio Theatre hosts more than 100 performances of BalletMet, Broadway in Columbus, the Columbus Symphony, CAPA-presented performances, and a wide variety of touring artists and shows each year. The beloved venue is also now proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, been declared a National Historic Landmark, and is the State Theatre of Ohio.

# # #

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund CAPAs 2020-21 season with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CAPA also appreciates the generous support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Lois S. and H. Roy Chope and Helen W. Wildermuth Fund for Drama and Music funds of The Columbus Foundation.

About CAPA

Owner/operator of downtown Columbus magnificent historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Drexel Theatre, Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts (New Albany, OH), and the Shubert Theatre (New Haven, CT), CAPA is a non-profit, award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment. For more information, visit http://www.capa.com.

Our stories will always be free to read, but they aren't free to produce. We need your support. To help our news organization tell Knox County's story every day, join our team. Become a member today.

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CAPA puts capital budget allocation toward Ohio Theatre renovation - knoxpages.com

CHICOPEE City Councilors overwhelmingly agreed they are interested in moving forward with a second phase to rehabilitate City Hall as construction on the crucial first phase comes to a close.

While the about $14.2 million first phase of the project focused on shoring up the tower and most of the exterior stone and brickwork that was crumbling, repairing the slate roof, replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, installing new windows and renovating the auditorium, the second phase of the project would focus on less crucial areas of the building.

Construction is coming to a close and the auditorium, which will have a new meeting space for all boards and modern recording equipment that will ease problems with broadcasting public meetings, sometime in March. Stonework on the building has slowed because it is taking longer to get larger stones that are being replaced and those pieces cannot be set in very cold weather, but it is anticipated to be completed in the spring, said Lee Pouliot, the city planner.

The first phase had to be done to make seriously-needed structural repairs on the about 150-year-old building. More than six years ago, plaster chunks started falling from the molding in the auditorium and stained glass windows loosened from their frames. Then a piece of the support frame that holds City Halls iconic rose-shaped stained glass window broke off and crashed to the stairs below.

A study produced found bad news. The brick facade was bowing out, sandstone columns were badly eroded, an interior brick arch had deteriorated and poor-quality brickwork in the tower was failing. During construction even more problems were found such as plaster ceilings started falling down because they used cut nails.

Phase two is anticipated to focus on the interior of the building, Pouliot said.

That will include renovating and possibly moving offices to better serve the public, increasing document storage which is at a minimum, installing new carpeting, replacing lights with LED bulbs, replacing the outdated chair lift which allows people with limited mobility to reach the City Clerk and Mayors office and making other cosmetic improvements, he said.

Mayor John L. Vieau said he wanted to know if the City Council had an appetite to move forward with the second phase of the project, which would also make the building safer in a situation with an active shooter as well as making cosmetic improvements.

We arent building it for us, we are building it for the next generations, Councilor James K. Tillotson said, adding it if they are going to renovate the building they should complete the work and improve the interior.

In a non-binding vote, councilors agreed that the Planning Department should move forward to find a firm which will begin working on the second phase of the project. The design will cost about $1.4 million and take about 16 months to complete.

Without a design, the cost of improvements is difficult to estimate but Pouilot said he expected it to be between $5 to $7 million. That will will bring the cost of the entire project to no more than $21 million.

Some of the loans the city has been paying for years are soon to be retired so the city will be able to take out more bonds without increasing the amount the city pays in principal and interest, Vieau added.

Along with the other improvements, the second phase also calls for the existing City Council Chambers to be renovated and a movable wall added. That space can be used as staff conference rooms during the day and will give the city more meeting space so they do not have to shoehorn people into offices when two commissions are meeting on the same night, Pouliot said.

There will also be a feed from the auditorium so broadcasting from that room will improve.

Here is the original post:
Chicopee City Council agrees to 2nd phase of City Hall renovations - MassLive.com

Battle Creeks Claras on the River opened to diners on Monday and the dining room looks unusually festive for this time of year. The restaurant, housed in a historic train depot in downtown Battle Creek is all decked out for Christmas. Owner Ross Simpson says theyre calling it Christmas in February.

Back on November 15th, we had just finished decorating the restaurant when the Governors shutdown order closed us down again, said Simpson. Nobody ever got to see it and the staff worked so hard that we decided to leave everything up. A lot of things are different at Claras, but customers probably wont notice them.

During the first state shutdown last spring and early summer, Simpson took advantage of the downtime to make many improvements to the restaurant, mostly for the safety of patrons during the pandemic.

They installed automatic doors, faucets, and flush valves, soap and towel dispensers in all six bathrooms. They put in new carpets, new booths that can be easily cleaned and sanitized, and built a new take-out station, and set up car-hop style dining. They even restored the clock in the tower.

This time, Simpson has installed four exhaust units in the ceiling that allow the air to be refreshed constantly inside. I think we may have the cleanest air of any building in town, including the hospital, said Simpson. He also replaced the old boiler with new, more efficient units, and expects that theyll pay for themselves in just a few years. Simpson says he applied early for state loans that allowed him to make the improvements.

The current state order only allows a restaurant to operate at 25% of capacity. Claras can normally have up to 380 inside. But that number is just 95 right now. Simpson says thats just about enough to stop the bleeding. Theyve been getting by on take-out orders, and a few hearty diners eating outside on the patio in heated cabanas. The challenge now is making sure they dont exceed the 95 capacity.

Simpson says the solution was to install a unit they installed at the restaurant entrance. It keeps count of people entering and leaving. Staff members can view the app on their phone and know exactly how many patrons are inside the restaurant.

Another app allows staff to do the required daily health assessment on their phone in just a few seconds, and get the ok to safely report for work.

Claras has outdoor propane heaters for the patio, once things warm up a bit, and Simpson also bought several propane heaters that are often used by fishermen in ice shanties to warm up the outdoor cabanas.

Simpson says all but about four staff members have continued to work at Claras during the shutdown, aided by a state program that allows them to collect partial unemployment while theyve worked reduced hours during the shutdown.

Simpson took advantage of a late afternoon lull to review some historic photos of the former train depot. He says Michael McCullough of Willard Library is working with local historians Randy Case and Kurt Thornton to do a special on-line program on Claras.

Continue reading here:
It's Christmas in February at Clara's On the River - wbckfm.com

You can find flooring perfect for any home or lifestyle

by: Hanna Erdmann

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) New flooring can be a major project to begin looking into, but since we are still staying home more often, why not give your home some needed TLC?

At Satolli Carpet and Floor Covering, you can find flooring perfect for any home or lifestyle. The carpet and hard floor coverings are built to last and take on lifes daily messes.

So whether you have kids, dogs or a messy handyman in your home, your flooring can handle it.

Most of the carpet I sell is 100% stain-proof. You can dump bleach on it and it doesnt change the color of the fiber, said owner Eric Thompson.

To keep those floors looking its best, there are a few things you can do.

For carpet, we recommend that it is professionally steam cleaned at least once each year, more often if necessary. We also sell spot remover and those kind of products that can help clean with daily maintenance for both carpet and hard surfaces as well, said Thompson.

With thousands of options of colors and styles, Satollis works with clients, asking them questions to find exactly the product that not only is the best fit, but also affordable for each customer.

Customers can come into the store then take samples home to see them in their homes lighting with their furniture and wall colors.

Then, someone will come out to your home and take care of measurements and estimates at no additional cost.

To save even more money, customers can come in and look at a variety of remnant carpet.

We have an entire warehouse thats full of nothing but rolls of carpet and remnants. So, if you have four bedrooms that you want to all do in the same color, we have that. If you have just the steps and hall that you want to do in the same color, we have that. So, everythings here and most of those remnants, some of them are 75% off. So, they are really a great value, said Thompson.

Customers have left very positive reviews of the installation on theirsocial media pagesand on their website.

This is the perfect time of year to get remodeling done in the home to start the year fresh.

Satolli Carpet and Floor Covering is located at 361 High Street NE in Warren. You can also give them a call at (330) 394-7573 or visit the Satolli Carpet and Floor Covering website.

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New year, new flooring with the help of Satolli Carpet and Floor Covering - WKBN.com

Village of New Paltz trustees may be looking at reining in the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Using much more pollution than two-stroke engines, leaf blowers used for an hour belch out the hydrocarbons from driving a gasoline-powered car for 1,100 miles, according to a 2015 EPA-funded study. Using the tool also creates sounds loud enough to damage human hearing after as little as two hours, according to a CDC report from 2017.

Trustee Alexandra Wojcik advised at the January 27 village board meeting that this was a topic of interest among Environmental Policy Board (EPB) members. Wojcik said that EPB members, who were initially concerned with the noise impacts, were curious if trustees would like to be educated on the subject. Wojcik also took some time to research regulations that have been put in place to regulate leaf blowers in other municipalities, pronouncing some of them as needlessly complicated because theyre based on times of day or year.

A brief discussion showed that consequences of any kind of ban could include making it more difficult for people who are older or have physical limitations to get leaves out of the way, but deputy mayor KT Tobin noted that encouraging people not to remove them at all is another option. Fallen leaves disrupt the lawn aesthetic, which was popularized when Louis XIV installed a green carpet at Versailles.

Mayor Tim Rogers suggested that rather than addressing the problems of leaf blowers locally, trustees might ask the governor to consider regulating them at the state level as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its not clear how likely or quickly an appeal to state leaders would have any impact.

Switching to electric blowers could reduce the noise and hydrocarbon pollution, but it would not eliminate all problems. According to an article published on the Sierra Club website in 2017, As leaf blowers generate wind speeds of around 180 miles per hour, they propel into the air potentially hazardous substances such as dirt, mold, pollen, animal feces and pesticides. Exposure to these dust clouds, which take hours to settle, damages peoples respiratory systems and may cause irritation, allergies and disease. While a 2011 Consumer Reports comparison found that it takes twice as long to rake, it also burns twice the calories and comes with none of the noise or emissions problems. For those who hire others to do the work, it may be possible to negotiate a lower rate for a neighborhood kid with a rake than to secure the services of a landscaping crew that has to pay for all that gasoline. Another alternative, according to a writer for the National Wildlife Federation, is to leave the leaves where they fall, as they support wildlife thats imperiled by human existence, while improving soil health as nature intended.

Trustees agreed to get a report on this issue directly from EPB members.

See the article here:
New Paltz considers regulations for the use of gas-powered leaf blowers - Hudson Valley One

Bob and Caryl Hilke celebrate adding outdoor dining to Pastimes Pub & Grille.

In October, the Ripon and Green Lake area lost more than just a business owner when Pastimes Pub & Grille owner Bob Hilke passed away at the age of 68.

It lost a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son and a friend.

For many, Green Lake Area Tavern League President and Tall Pauls owner Paul Salzwedel said Hilkes death was like losing a part of your family.

Hes greatly missed, Salzwedel said.

Hilke worked at Oshkosh Corp. for 28 years, and married his wife and Pastimes co-owner Caryl in 1995.

A year later, the couple opened the Boondocks, a tavern located roughly four miles north of Mayville at the intersection of County Road V and Farmersville Road.

It's initial business venture largely served customers from Mayville, Lomira and Brownsville, the Commonwealth reported in 1996.

When the tavern launched, Caryl worked full-time at the Boondocks, while Hilke put in about five to six hours a day on top of running the control lab at what was then called "Oshkosh Truck."

Six years after opening the Boondocks, the Hilkes sold the tavern and moved back to Ripon, purchasing Pastimes in February 2002.

Shortly after purchasing Pastimes, the couple told the Commonwealth that it was enjoying its return to Ripon, finding the business to be much more brisk in its hometown than it had been in Farmersville.

In the years since, the Hilkes oversaw multiple cosmetic changes to the building, replacing windows, installing carpeting, replacing tables and chairs, reconstructing the outside wall and incorporating outdoor dining.

Aside from helping operate a staple in Ripons bar and restaurant scene, Hilke also was a longtime member of the Green Lake Area Tavern League, serving as the organizations treasurer for many years.

As treasurer, Salzwedel noted Hilke was responsible for monitoring the tavern leagues bills, noting Hilke also served on the leagues board of directors.

He was very active with the tavern league, helping with all of the different fund-raisers that we do, Salzwedel said. He and Caryl helped us with a lot of fund-raisers over the years, fund-raising for different charities throughout the area.

He explained that many of those fund-raising events helped donate to local food pantries.

Beyond helping with fund-raisers, Hilke and Salzwedel attended multiple tavern league conventions together and built a strong friendship.

Hilke eventually stepped down as treasurer, but he and Salzwedel still talked on the phone regularly.

Salzwedel explained that Hilke spent a great deal of time up north in his final months and Caryl managed the day-to-day operation of Pastimes and remained active in the Green Lake Area Tavern League in Bob's place.

When Hilke died in October, Salzwedel said it sent a shockwave through the local tavern league chapter.

Anytime you lose a friend and a fellow tavern keep, it's like you're losing part of the family, he said. Thats what everybody felt because he was such a long-time member.

To honor Hilkes legacy, the Green Lake Area Tavern League is making donations to multiple food pantries in the area.

The organization is donating $500 to the Ripon Community Food Pantry, $200 to the Brandon Food Pantry, $200 to the Markesan Food Pantry and $600 to the Green Lake County Food Pantry, which serves Green Lake, Princeton and Berlin.

Presenting a certificate to Pastimes owners Bob and Caryl Hilke, second and third from left, are members of Ripons Underage Drinking Initiative, from left, Gary Will, Danelle Phillips, Rev. Paul Nulton, and Ripon High School student Kali Kinziger.

Salzwedel noted the tavern league discussed ways to honor Hilke at its monthly meeting in December and decided that donating to food pantries would be fitting, especially with the increased need spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We just thought that he was such a part of the community and with this COVID the people hurting the worst could really use that help, Salzwedel said. We thought that he'd like to take care of the community and help some of the people that are really struggling.

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How is a local organization working to honor Ripon tavern owner Bob Hilke? - Ripon Commonwealth Press

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Oprah Winfrey is one of the most admirable African American media moguls of our time. She has built an empire that has inspired some of the most successful, financially-free people. Her ambition and accolades are to be studied and admired. At the age of 67, Oprah shows no signs of slowing down.

Beyond her amazing and influential career lies her stylish wardrobe. Oprah is a fixture on the red carpet. She has given us decades of fashionable looks. Weve seen her body transform from petite, to plus size, to standard size. It was her weight loss journey documented through Weight Watchers, that inspired others to follow in her footsteps.

She was fly in 1995, but her style over the last 2 years have been a downright fabulous. Though her pieces are simple, they make memorable statements that will send you to the store shopping for, that thing Oprah wore.

In honor of her 67th birthday, were checking out 5 of our favorite fashion moments from Oprah.

Oprah Winfrey posed with 2 awards at the 22nd Daytime Emmy Awards in a simple, powder pink gown. By 1995, she had established herself as a successful actress and talk show host.

The media mogul paved the way for many actresses, philanthropists, talk show hosts, and many more. In addition to making professional strides, shes become a key person to watch during every major red carpet event.

Oprah Winfrey gave a chic spin on the term business casual during an Apple product launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater. She wore black slacks, a white high-low blouse, and a black tie.

As Oprah gets older, she takes great interest in finding fun yet comfortable clothing that speak to her personal style. This black and white ensemble fits her personality perfectly!

Oprah Winfrey posed with the Cecil B. DeMille Award during The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in a form-fitting black gown.

With her glasses and award in tow, the media mogul looked absolutely stunning.

Is anyone else obsessed with the way Oprah matched her glasses with her dress? Just me? Oprah attended the premiere of OWNs David Makes Man in a simple white dress, gorgeous curls, and chic glasses.

Oprah clearly has a drawer full of diverse, fun frames. I love that each outfit she wears features a new set of glasses that somehow tie into her outfit. Accessorizing at its finest.

Oprah Winfrey spoke during the WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) & Oprahs 2020 Vision: Your Life In Focus Tour in a stylish, khaki duster, paired with white slacks.

Everything about this ensemble is chic and timeless. I especially loved her white Stella McCartney platform lace-up brogues.

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Check Out 5 Times Oprah Winfrey Slayed The Red Carpet - HelloBeautiful

The first words God spoke in the Bible were Let there be light. As members of St. James Episcopal Church return to their renovated sanctuary, that may reflect their first impression.

A lot was done to preserve and restore the 125-year-old worship space in downtown Baton Rouge, but the most obvious is how bright the once-dark Gothic Revival interior now is.

Peoples breath is taken away when they come in and see it, said the Rev. Chris Duncan, rector at St. James. Everyone that walks in, the things that stand out are the floors, the ability to see the ceiling, which you could not do before, and how clean and crisp it looks.

The project the first wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling renovation since the church was built in 1895 follows exterior work that began after Hurricane Gustav damaged the roof in 2008, creating leaks. More recently, mortar supporting the bricks was replaced to better waterproof and protect the structure.

That work finished as Duncan became rector in 2018, and attention turned to the interior. The wiring, over 50 years old, needed to be replaced; wall plaster had water damage; and the white walls had grayed due to age and water leaks, Duncan said. The circa-1975 organ and the heating and air conditioning system both needed replacing, and the lighting was poor.

You couldnt see the ceiling. It was dark, Duncan said. There was only light shining down, so they blinded you when you looked up. It was also a fire hazard because we didnt have any kind of sprinkler system.

"All of these things started adding up, so we said the time now was not to do a small campaign but to do a larger campaign to fix the church.

Lisa Coco Hargrave was the lead architect on the project along with Chris Doiron and Liz Spedale at Tipton Associates.

The interior work has cost about $1 million, Duncan said, and the new pipe organ, which has not been installed, will cost about $900,000.

St. James will have its first worship service in the sanctuary at 205 N. Fourth St. on Sunday, though COVID occupancy restrictions mean that only those who have preregistered can attend. For those who want to see the renovations, open houses will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday and noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

And what they will now be able to see with the addition of new LED lighting that nearly doubled the lumens of the light fixtures and directed lights are the elaborate wooden arches of the ceiling.

What they probably won't see are the new sprinkler pipes, which have been painted dark brown to blend in with the woodwork.

It may seem like a small feat, but getting these sprinklers in here and not having them not really very visible is certainly something were really proud of, Hargrave said. We actually went through nine paint samples to figure out one. The wood varies in color.

The most noticeable wood, however, may be the floor, which has been entirely carpeted since at least the 1950s, Duncan said.

The carpet was removed, the original wood floorboards restored by Paul Allen Flooring of Baton Rouge, and the walkways covered by a new, custom carpet filled with symbols of spiritual imagery: fleur de lis to symbolize the Trinity, wheat to represent the bread of Christ, quatrefoils in honor of the four evangelists, red to represent the blood of Christ, and martyrs, gold for the resurrection. Church members chose the symbols they wanted, and Avenue Rugs in Mandeville designed and made the floor coverings.

I just love the symbolism that can be brought out in church work, Hargrave said.

Removing carpeting can have a dramatic effect on acoustics, and the sanctuary already had issues with voices bouncing off the walls. The church brought in acoustical engineer Richard Boner from Dallas, who repositioned the speakers to solve that problem.

What we expect with the sound in here when its full of people that well be able to hear the spoken word better and the music will be heightened by the extra reverberation, Hargrave said.

Michael Terry and Bryan Brown with Associated Design Group served as electrical and mechanical engineers, and Mid South Church Construction also worked on the project.

Hargrave hopes those who visit will share her feeling of inspiration. Her architecture work doesnt typically involve churches.

Its really been an honor for me to be involved in the process, she said. Its really the highlight of my last few years.

See the article here:
'Let there be light': Renovation of St. James Episcopal Church's illuminates once-dark sanctuary - The Advocate

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Just like the city it calls home, the new studio of NBC News Meet the Press explores the dichotomy of modern versus classical in a town that still leans heavily on storied traditions while coexisting in a world thats constantly hitting refresh on the flow of information and conservation.

Set Design

NBC News Studio N1

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After over 60 years broadcasting from the studios of WRC, the networks owned station in Washington, D.C., NBC execs made the pivotal decision to move Meet the Press and the networks bureau closer to the heart of the city paying credence to the mantra of location, location, location.

In the district, location is important but so is access, access, access so the network opted to start exploring ways to expand its downtown presence even before a January 2019 fire that heavily damaged its ancillary studios on the upper floors of an office building.

The debut of Meet the Press from the space culminates a months long process of moving both on camera and behind the scenes areas across town.

Once the decision was made to create a new hub in the heart of the district and NBC secured the additional space, the network turned to the design team at HD Studio to fill the newly acquired real estate with multiple broadcast and work environments including this ground-level studio for Meet the Press.

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While Studio N5 on the eighth floor and the bureau newsroom on seven embrace clean lines and LED video walls, so popular in broadcast studios today, the first floor is decidedly different.

We wanted to create a space that speaks to NBCU News Groups commitment to Washington-based coverage. It was important to us to balance the federal-style architecture with the unique modern finishes and latest technologies to break from the generic feel of many modern workspaces. Plus, creating expansive windows across the first floor studios and newsroom also reflects the importance of journalistic transparency, said Marc Greenstein, SVP of design and production at NBC News and MSNBC.

To facilitate that concept, HD Studios team created a bit of a backstory about the new home for Meet the Press it was a found space that had been expanded and modernized over time, noted Bryan Higgason.

We always looked for ways to pit something very modern against something very classical, he noted in an interview with NewscastStudio.

The roundtable area most of the LED video walls in the archways can be moved to reveal real windows. Photos courtesy of Niel Galen and NBC News.

The main roundtable area for Meet the Press was enclosed with paneled walls and archways painted in a colonial blue discovered through research into historic architecture dating back to the founding of the country.

This gives it the basic structure of a traditional colonial room complete with framed pictures and faux marble and wood floors.

In many ways, its sort of opposite the open concept thats become all the rage in both home and office designs of today but also a reflection of the design sensibilities of another era.

Not only does this go a long way in creating a perfect area for pointed questioning and interviews, but its a recognizable, consistent space viewers can expect to see each week.

These chats take place around a simple circular table with flared based sits on a circular custom carpet with the Meet the Press logo ringing it somewhat reminiscent of another famous (albeit oval-shaped) area rug found elsewhere in the city namely at the White House.

Though the pandemic will likely mean MTP has to rely on social distancing and remote interviews for the time being, the table is designed to sit up to four guests in addition to Chuck Todd and can be shot in the round.

HD Studio nixed the idea of using traditional hidden camera ports (disguised through open-backed bookshelves or dark corners of the studio) that are often mainstays of roundtable setups and instead paid close attention to blocking the camera positions as well as the evolving nature of the shows format.

Cameras will still show up on air from time to time, but thats also a nod to the connection to be old and new and the flow of conversation from around that table out into the world, noted Higgason.

Meanwhile, the gently curving archways that box in this area are decidedly traditional but have the very modern option to be filled with seamless 1.56mm UHD LED panels from Neoti that can be used to showcase stylized imagery of D.C. landmarks or be used for remote interviews.

Whats not immediately visible, according to Higgason, is that all of these panels can be moved around behind the blue walls to reveal the real glass windows beyond as well as combined with an oversized, gold web-like sculptural gold map of Washingtons highly recognizable spoke street layout.

This configuration was inspired by Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center, which has its home base between two perpendicular walls of glass, giving the network a high profile billboard of its presence while also giving passersby a peek into the process of newsgathering.

Just off this area is a more open, modern feeling glass box space with two perpendicular walls of glass overlooking the 45-workstation newsroom beyond, perhaps another nod to 1A.

The main desk in this space is another blend of old and new its basic shape is that of a colonial or federalist style desk with its gracefully bowed legs and other carved details.

However, its been finished in a bold bright red thats found throughout the new D.C. facility as well as the networks New York headquarters (and decidedly not very traditional).

It also includes integrated glass panels with color-changing LED edge lighting effects and frosted bars another motif common found, for example, in the header element in the seventh-floor newsroom and throughout Studio N5 on eight.

While a truly antique piece could be emblazoned with a gold seal and leafing, this desk has custom, internal lit reveal lines and an NBC peacock in the center.

Shooting the red desk through one wall of windows gives viewers a dramatic view of an intricate barrel-vaulted ceiling with dark coffers that runs down the center of the newsroom, also inspired by neoclassical and federal architecture a shot that started to show up during NBC and MSNBC coverage of the inauguration.

The rear wall of the newsroom is finished in the same bright red as the desk and equipped, directly behind the studio window, a 22 video panel array that providesa prominent digital canvas for branded or topical graphics on both one and multi-shot setups from the desk.

Interestingly, the designers didnt set out with a red, white and blue color palette in mind for the space, said Higgason.

The team initially was more focused on integrating visual continuity to other NBC studios, but quickly discovered red went a long way in warming up the look and it ended up being a great way to blend in a bit of that modern take on design with otherwise traditional looks.

A more traditional anchor desk layout situated with glass on both sides and a dramatic barrel vault above.

Meanwhile, on either side of the central barrel vault is a more modern interpretation of that architectural element suspended, internally lit rectangular frames arranged in grids, another example Higgason points out as a bridge between old and new.

The team also tucked thousands of LEDs in the coffers, cornices of columns and in other architectural details throughout the space, giving NBC the ability to create a multitude of moods and looks that spreads beyond just studio lighting cues.

Getting these ceiling elements installed involved detailed work with HVAC and electrical contractors to get all of these systems as close to the structural ceiling as possible giving the space the most possible using ceiling height (about 14 feet), said Higgason.

HD Studio also had to work around numerous structural columns that hold the building up spaced about every 20 feet or so in a grid pattern throughout the space. One also, located in the studio area, also had to be relocated to create a larger footprint.

Of course, columns are no stranger to neoclassical, federal-style architecture, so they were ultimately worked into the design.

To refine the look, however, the columns were clad with a stone-like finish and etched with symbolic words such as Honesty, Truth, Wisdom and Tenacity all meant to stand for, both literally and figuratively, the foundations on which journalism is based on.

It felt important to provide reminders for what the people in that room do and speak to the qualities of the people delivering the news, explained Higgason.

Staffers will also be able to look down for other reminders of their mission to facilitate conversation between the public and elected officials numerous quotes about the free press and its relationship with the government are adhered to the floor.

One of the most obvious things about this text, however, is that it doesnt line up with the rather grid-like layout of the rest of the space instead, theyve been aligned to roughly form spokes reaching out from the Capitol grounds.

The idea is that the people in that are listening to what is emanating from that buildings, said Higgason.

Also outside the studio is an open space that includes a combination of green room and gathering spaces for guests and workers alike.

An open area outside the studio includes a green room and large NBC peacock bench installation.

Rather than just rely on traditional seating, HD Studio came up with the idea to use a top-down view of the NBC peacock logo as a multifaceted seating area complete with faux marble bases.

Each feather is a separate segment of the installation and topped with one of the corresponding six colors found in the iconic logo.

Although COVID-19 likely means gathering in the area (as well as the other planned communal meeting areas throughout the newsroom) might not be leveraged right away, Higgason says it will be interesting to see how staffers and guests end up gravitating to it and sparking additional conversations.

Set Design

NBC News Studio N1

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For more than seventy years, Meet the Press has been the place where presidents, policymakers, foreign leaders, and those in power have come to speak directly to American viewers, said Todd. This year, we will continue to be the gold standard of Sunday public affairs programming with the same sensibilities and mission, only now from a 21st-century studio with the latest technologies and broadcast capabilities.

Set Design Bryan Higgason, Paul Benson and Sid Wichienkuer of HD StudioLighting Design Niel Galen of The Lighting Design GroupLED Displays NeotiFabrication blackwalnutSystems Integrator BeckTV

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New 'Meet the Press' studio pays tribute to heart of democracy, free exchange of ideas - NewscastStudio

Paul Chvez did not know that the sculpture they had requested of his father, union and civil rights leader Csar Chvez, would end up in the White House.

Just this week he decided to loan a bronze statue to President Joe Biden and rushed to pack it up and deliver it to him from across the country, California. It came as a surprise to him when he saw Biden at his new desk in the Oval Office, with the bust of his late father behind him.

We still have a smile from ear to ear, Paul Chvez said in an interview.

During his campaign, Biden promoted unity and racial justice, and Chvezs son said the new president appears to be trying to advance those ideas through a series of decorative changes in his office.

He noted that the presence of the statue in the White House marks the beginning of a new day after the administration of Donald Trump, with his policies against immigration. Chvez Jr., who is president and director of the board of directors of the foundation that bears his fathers name, predicted that under the new government the contribution of workers, immigrants, and Latinos will be taken into account.

Every time Biden is seen at his desk, the farm union leader will be there.

The changes in the Oval Office were first seen when Biden signed a series of decrees and other measures in his first hours as president.

The most notable change is a blue carpet with the presidential seal in the center, which was last worn by Bill Clinton and replaces a colorful carpet installed by Trump. Biden also decided to use the gold curtains from the Clinton era.

In addition to the Chvez bust, there are also other civil rights fighters Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, as well as a sculpture of President Harry Truman. Biden removed a bust of Winston Churchill.

On the wall in front of Bidens desk there is a picture with a collage of photos of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt which also includes another father of the country, Alexander Hamilton.

Conspicuously absent is a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, a Trump favorite who signed a law that led to the expulsion of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their lands.

Biden retains the Resolute desk, built from oak from the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute. But he got rid of the red button Trump installed on his desk to call a butler to bring him Diet Coke, his drink of choice.

All presidents change the dcor of the Oval Office at the beginning of their administrations to reflect their personal taste or promote certain ideas.

The White House has in its warehouses an extensive collection of furniture, paintings, and other artifacts. Presidents can also borrow items from the Smithsonian and other museums.

The White House curator oversees everything and the renovation is done within hours, after the departure of the outgoing president and before the arrival of his successor.

Biden also replaced some military flags that Trump used for decorative purposes and replaced an American flag and another with the presidential seal. They are both behind your desk.

He also selected a dark brown leather chair to replace Trumps russet chair.

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Surprise bust of Csar Chvez in Joe Biden's office - Explica