Asharq – London studio concept

A Middle Eastern network opening a studio in London speaks to two places at once: viewers who know the channel’s look, and the city it is now broadcasting from. VIPRO’s concept for Asharq’s European hub puts both in the same frame.

The city in shot

The proposal keeps the windows in play. Instead of blacking out the glazing, the wide shots look past the presenter to the London skyline, while the anchor desk stands in front of a curved LED backdrop carrying the network’s graphics. Channel identity sits in the foreground; the location sits in the depth of the picture.

A compact plan, several positions

The floor is not large, so every position has to earn its place. The design sets out:

• an anchor desk on a lit circular plinth in front of the main curved LED wall;
• a standing presenter position at a second curved screen for weather and data;
• LED-clad columns that bring branding into the side angles;
• oval ceiling coffers that hold the lighting rig and shape the high shots.

Each zone has its own lighting, with room left for camera movement and for presenters to walk between positions.

Beyond the studio

The concept carries on into an open-plan newsroom with its own video wall and a red brand wall, and a green room in warm timber and soft seating for guests. VIPRO developed the scheme through detailed 3D renders and design boards to align stakeholders across locations and disciplines. It is shown here as a design proposal.