Can This Cupboard Become a Studio? We’ve Got You.

Turning a small back room into a working studio may not sound straightforward, but with us it’s entirely possible. Long-standing clients DMGT approached us with exactly that challenge, to transform an overlooked storage space into a controlled AV environment that could be used for filming, content creation and on-camera presentation. The space was cleared out, reworked and delivered as a studio built to support daily production, a complete shift from what it had been before. 

Starting with a Blank Room

The space in question didn’t offer much to begin with. Ceiling tiles had been removed for access, lights were inconsistent, and boxes of unused kit had started to build up around the edges. There was no fixed lighting, no dedicated sound control, and no layout that supported any kind of structured filming. That said, the room had potential, with enough height for grid mounting, space for three cameras, and a location close to the editorial team. 

Our task was to make it practical, and flexible, without over-complicating the process or the limited space. 

The basic storeroom, with exposed services, disused clutter and no infrastructure in place.

Building the Right Environment 

The first step was to bring structure and acoustic control into the room. We installed a suspended ceiling using 24mm grid and 40mm Ecophon Master A tiles, backed with encapsulated Rockwool. That provided solid acoustic absorption and helped reduce unwanted sound reflections across the room. It also concealed the mechanical systems above while creating a clean base for lighting bars and electrical work.  

Seven acoustic panels were then mounted around the perimeter walls to improve clarity in spoken audio. Every surface, including the acoustic treatment, walls and trims, was finished in a grey or low-sheen black. This prevented reflection and glare under lighting, especially when used with darker camera setups.  

Lighting and Power for Camera  

Lighting needed to be practical, controllable and consistent across the space. We fitted eight 200mm downlights across two circuits to offer basic dimmable lighting. This meant the space could be adjusted quickly without needing specialist knowledge. Above, we installed two three-metre black aluminium bars, fixed to threaded rod anchored into the ceiling slab. Each bar was fitted with a 13amp double socket, allowing LED panels or mounted lights to be added as needed.  

The room was also fitted with a full blackout curtain track, running five metres with a 90-degree return. We supplied heavyweight wool serge curtains, chain-weighted with 50 percent fullness. These provided both light control and improved sound absorption.  

Electrical outlets were removed from the walls and replaced at low level along the window side, fitted with matt black faceplates to avoid catching reflections on camera.   

The flooring was completed in Heuga 725 tiles in Real Black, chosen for acoustic control as well as visual consistency. 

Technical layout showing camera zones, grid mounting and curtain coverage.

Made for Everyday Use  

The final layout was developed with camera workflow in mind. The space supports three camera positions, each with a clear line to the presenter zone. There’s room for a curved desk, standing presenter, or seated interview setup. The lighting bars allow for both fixed and temporary rigging, while the curtain system means backgrounds can be adjusted without needing physical set builds. 

Autocue, audio interfaces and temporary set pieces can all be brought in without interfering with the existing structure. The grid provides a secure base for growth if the client chooses to expand or adapt the space in future. 

Designed, Installed, Delivered, She’s Yours

Our team handled the entire delivery, from CAD planning and procurement to installation and project management. The full scope covered ceiling works, acoustic treatment, lighting bars, blackout drapes, electrical power, floor finishes and layout setup.

The space now operates as a reliable AV studio, ready to support in-house production at DMGT.

The finished studio supports flexible lighting, clean audio and a blackout perimeter.

Ready to Make Use of Your Wasted Space?  

If you've got a back room that's gathering dust, we can help you turn it into something useful. Whether it's storage, an old comms area or a space no one knows what to do with, we'll make it work.  

Adding a compact studio gives your team a space to record updates, film video content, start a podcast, host webinars or deliver live feeds. It supports both internal messaging and external communication, helping you produce high-quality content quickly and consistently, all within your own walls, reducing reliance on external venues or agencies.  

Let's talk about what your space could become.  

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