Kabelovna Studios is located in a former electrical cable-making factory in the district of Holesovice, in the heart of Prague, Czech Republic.

The facility, constructed in 1908, is a part of Prague's workers' colony from the 1870s. Since then, the area has developed around the former factory while preserving the industrial atmosphere within the city block that houses it. Several artistic entities are located in the same hall as the studios: a fashion designer, a painter, a screen-printing production business, and lastly, the recording studios, thus creating a vibrant creative environment.

With its eclectic mix of creatives, the setup is a new concept for what the post-production and music recording environment could look like: studios that connect an authentic industrial aesthetic with natural elements of light that beam through large skylights and well-placed glass partitions. All while the restored brick walls of this former factory not only work perfectly with the acoustic requirements of a modern recording studio but completes the space beautifully. These walls are also complimented by the diffusing properties of acoustic panels and by the five-meter tall, sloped ceilings.

Entranced by the location's strong character and genius loci, the architects highlighted it as much as possible. A new beige anhydrite floor unifies the space and allows the walls and other existing textures and elements to become the focal point. Black was used for the new modern inserts - such as the doors or technical equipment, but also to act as a background for the older furniture pieces and the custom-designed light fixtures.

The spatial organization is simple and intuitive. It starts with a large gathering room, or the studio's living room located in the highest area of the hall. The communal space welcomes guests with a reception table, a seating area, and a kitchen line, while the recording studios are accessible behind partially glazed doors.

The "living room" is dominated by a Bomma Orbital chandelier which floats above a massive wooden table, further enhancing the space's sense of height. The plants, which freely establish themselves over the black walls, separate the reception from the rest of the hall's inhabitants and are housed in carefully concealed planters. Each recording studio is equipped with its own white voice-over booth.

The refurbished furniture and the overall composition of the space create an inspirational yet cozy atmosphere. For example, the seating is a combination of recycled leather seats and black leather armchairs from the 1970s. The foldable seats, previously used in an actual theater, are placed in the studio's "living room" to encourage more guests to be a part of the inevitable parties.

The neon lights, designed by the architects, are also a nod to the studio's function. The fluid design of the lighting fixtures embodies the visual of sound waves that dominate the ceilings of the recording studios and constantly change as they move through the space. Each studio has a neon number and invites the artists to explore the room.

The availability of these welcoming and inspiring studios provides the ideal creative environment for artists to hone and craft their art.

PROJECT DETAILS

Studio: B² Architecture

Author: Barbara Bencova

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Client: Karel Havlíček / Kabelovna Studios

Project Location: Dělnická 27, Prague 7

Project Country: Czech Republic

Completion Year: 2022

Usable Floor Area: 250 m²

Photographer: Alex Shoots Buildings

Collaborator Acoustic Panels: MAXIM