The Multimedia Broadcast Center (MBC) will provide the Voice of
America (VOA) with an integrated studio for television, radio, and
Internet media broadcasting. The center will be built out of an existing
35,000 SF office space located within the first floor of the historic
Cohen Building in Washington, DC. When completed it will house an
open style television (TV) studio integrated with working offices
of the VOA, similar to many commercial broadcasters such as CNN and
CBS. Adjacent to the TV studio will be smaller TV and radio studio
spaces provided with acoustical treatments and control room editing
capabilities. Internet broadcasting media will be located in close
proximity to TV and radio studios for easier assimilation of news
into this newer media.
Syska Hennessy Group is performing the MBC renovation under the
General Services Administration’s (GSA) First Impressions Program.
The intent of the program is to create public spaces where people
feel welcome, safe, and professionally served by eliminating clutter,
consolidating services, streamlining security, and unifying building
signage. This approach was the central theme behind the design for
the center. The final configuration of which will include a Public
Gallery to overlook studio spaces allowing first hand access to VOA
operations. A Visitor’s Center will also be provided and will
include a historical perspective of VOA through audio and visual
displays.