Jon Ryan
Affordable Office Renovation Strategies
Affordable Office Renovation Strategies

CBS Performance Studio | New York, NY

In an effort to create a familiar and comfortable venue for musicians to perform for live audiences within in the confines of an office building, V3 recently designed a dedicated performance studio inside the CBS Radio facility located in SoHo New York. Going above and beyond a typical music performance space, the 100-person venue features acoustically isolated construction, permanent audio-video systems with the capability to record content and stream live video of every performance. The space has designed flexibility to host a wide variety of guests beyond musical performances including speakers, politicians, actors and athletes for use by the nationally recognized News and Sports stations in the facility.

With executive offices above and below, as well as a Top 5 station in the US next door, a floating floor, a spring-isolated ceiling and multi-layered gyp walls were installed to mitigate sound transfer to adjacent rooms. Fully developing this unique space from start to finish, V3 designed the studio and stage set to have a New York feel including a custom-printed subway backdrop and truss system that extends over the audience to draw them into the experience. Because V3 is a truly “full service” firm (or because old habits die hard), principal Kurt Kerns also personally set up and tuned the guitar, bass and drums on stage. This attractive and functional space will now serve as a multi-tool content capture space at the CBS radio cluster in New York for years to come.

New Additions to the Team

SANDY CHIU

V Three Studios, LLC announces the hire of interior designer Sandy Chiu. With extensive interior design experience at a national scale and a background in mechanical design, Chiu brings a well-balanced approach to creating effective design solutions.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Chiu worked as a mechanical design professional in St. Louis for five years while pursuing an education in interior design. She gained nine years of interior design experience before coming onboard at V Three Studios as the Interior Design lead. Chiu is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

V Three Studios has added multiple team members this year, marking a sustained period of steady growth for the firm.

“Having known Sandy for more than a decade, I’m confident in her ability to both develop small projects solo and integrate with our team on the larger scale projects. Her outstanding work ethic combined with her design sensibility is a true win-win for V3 and our clients. We know she had other options so we are all very excited she chose V3. Sandy is just an outstanding person and we are excited to have her on our team.”
— Kurt Kerns, Principal of V Three Studios

LEIF HAUSER

V Three Studios, LLC announces the hire of new architect Leif Hauser. With more than 15 years of experience providing a wide range of architectural services, Hauser is registered in the states of Missouri, Illinois and New Jersey. Hauser is certified by both the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a LEED Green Associate.     

Hauser began his career by pursuing undergraduate degrees in speech communication and fine arts before attaining a Masters of Architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He has contributed to award-winning projects involving both new construction and renovation in industries such as higher education, financial, historic renovation, restaurants, corporate, and residential. Hauser has contributed to the St. Louis community by serving on Olivette's Planning and Community Design Commission, two separate facilities planning task forces, and as an elected City Councilperson. When he's not on the clock, Hauser enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, and quality time with his wife and daughter.

“We’re very happy to welcome Leif aboard at V3. He has a unique skillset that complements the industries in which we are primarily involved and will help us secure new work moving forward. With Leif on our team, I’m excited to really hit our stride and pursue bigger opportunities and achievements for our firm. He is a truly gifted architect who will be a valuable asset as our firm continues to grow.”
— Kurt Kerns, Principal of V Three Studios

On The Boards: ToyTalk | San Francisco, CA

V Three Studios is thrilled to be working with ToyTalk, a family entertainment company specializing in interactive voice recognition technology, to create an advanced Audio-Video Content Creation & Post-Production Facility for their newly constructed headquarters in San Francisco. The new studios will help the company to expand their groundbreaking entertainment platform that makes conversations with characters a reality.

Founded in 2011 by former Pixar CTO Oren Jacob, ToyTalk has raised millions of dollars in funding from top global investors to advance their unique vision of enabling kids to have real conversations with make-believe characters. The company has released several mobile apps that have captured the imaginations of children around the world. ToyTalk has grown quickly enough to expand to a new 8,000 sq. ft. office space in San Francisco, for which V Three Studios was tasked with designing an Audio-Video Content Creation and Post Production Facility that could meet the demands of this emerging new company.

V Three Studios | Open House

OfficeLobby

Friday, July 10 5-9 PM
2717 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO

Join us for an evening of friends, colleagues, projects & design, as we celebrate our move & new office space. BBQ provided by Sugarfire Smoke House. Donuts by Strange Donuts. Our open house coincides with Maplewood's 'Let Them Eat Art' event. So feel free to take in the best food, music and art that Maplewood has to offer before or after you stop by.

Like us on Facebook for a free beer when you get here!

Washington University in St. Louis | Olin Library

V3 is pleased to announce being selected to work with Ann Beha Architects as their local affiliate for the renovation of Olin Library on Washington University's Danforth Campus.

Construction for the John M. Olin Library started on May 3, 1960 and officially opened in 1962. In 2004 the building underwent a comprehensive renovation and now houses the University Libraries, Reference Desk, Digital Library Services, Special Collections, Writing Center, and the Arc Library Tech Center.

The upcoming project will further transform Olin Library, allowing the building to adapt to current technologies, modern library functions, and create new connections between the users and staff - reinforcing the library as the heart of the campus. V3 will be assisting Ann Beha Architects throughout the design and construction of the project.

V Three Studios Selected for STL Arch Addition

V Three Studios has been selected to design a much needed update to the iconic St. Louis Arch. City officials announced the winner of the secret competition in a press conference this morning, but there have been no hints at the winning design until now. Local news agencies have just obtained early renderings that leaked from the highly secured servers of the St. Louis based architecture firm. The images hint at a floating structure that possibly includes two new elevator systems, new lookout/viewing areas, restaurant, performance theatre, shopping center, and at least 15 luxury condos.

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When asked about their initial reactions to the design, one long time downtown residents stated "It's about time we update that thing! I have lived down here for 25 years and I always forget the arch is even there. This will bring some attention back to our city."

While some oppose the commercialization of a national monument, Chuck Huss of the STL Downtown Development Group says "This city needs more condos, so I welcome the change. The more condos the better." 

V Three Studios LLC did not comment or respond to repeated emails or phone calls.

 

E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall

V3 has partnered with McClure Engineering to design acoustical treatments and new lighting solutions for Washington University's E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall.

The E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall was originally built in 1930 to serve as a temple for the Congregation Shaare Emeth. Over the years this amazing hidden gem has served as home to Saint Louis Conservatory and School for the Arts, the St Louis Symphony Community Music School and now Washington University’s Department of Music. The Hall features two Steinway Concert Grand Pianos, historic art deco glass windows, and a 1,575 foot mosaic stage backdrop. 

Known as the 560 Music Center, the building contains three performance spaces: the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall seating 1,115, the Ballroom/Theater seating up to 300, and the Recital Hall seating 75. The building also houses faculty studios, four ensemble rehearsal rooms, practice modules, and student lounge.