New KHOI Studio Coming Soon!

October 21, 2013 - 3:20pm -- ron

KHOI has been hard at work preparing for a new studio. Funds are mostly raised and the design is drawn out; all that is left is construction, which is set to start soon. Plans include a live broadcast area and two recording studios projected to be complete before the end of the year. The main broadcast studio will be larger than a commercial radio station’s studio; the goal is to create a broadcast space that is community-friendly.

An architectural drawing for the build-out was provided by Eric Badding, who is a graduate student at Iowa State University in architecture. Badding is also an employee at Integrity Construction, based in Ames. Integrity Construction paid for development of the design (see illustration), as a donation to KHOI. Badding completed the design in cooperation with a team of KHOI board members. They hashed out the details in a series of rigorous meetings and the design went through numerous transformations.

Architectural Drawing of New Studio

The studio has been in the plan since the station was created. The construction of this studio is the station’s next step in creating their identity in the Ames community. Board members feel good about the project and are ready to see it come to life.

“Designing by group-process definitely is trying,” said KHOI manager Ursula Ruedenberg. “However, thanks to Eric’s expertise and everyone’s insight and patience, we now have a really great design. This is a relatively small space to work with and it was important for everyone, from their perspective, to articulate how to use the space best.”

The studio has some features that will create a great radio experience for community members. Where the station is located at 410 Douglas Avenue is noisy; not ideal for radio broadcasting, live or recorded. The design of the studio includes soundproofing to make broadcasting in the studio’s building more desirable.

    The design of the studio includes:
  • live broadcast studio
  • two recording studios
  • a window looking from the storefront area into the live broadcast studio
  • DJ equipment
  • sound proofing
  • broadcast and recording equipment
  • a work space for operations staff

KHOI is excited for this phase of development of the station and for getting more integrated into the Ames community. The station hopes that this project will lead to an expansion in programming and an increased interest in community radio.

Joe Lynch, who is managing the build-out for KHOI said, “The studio is a carefully designed space for welcoming and accommodating the work of the volunteers who make KHOI happen. It will be a really beautiful and useful space. We can’t wait to see the completion!”