Learfield Sports Office Expansion

Learfield Sports, a collegiate sports multimedia and sponsorship firm, further expanded their facility in Dallas to accommodate a new entertainment suite, training area and additional office space. V Three Studios worked closely with the client in order to create an efficient design that also achieved the complex requirements of the project. The 4,700 sq ft suite was transformed into a multi-functional and technologically advanced space that meets the needs of the growing company.

The features of the completely renovated suite include a unique lobby, a large multipurpose entertainment space with a bar and flexible seating, a full kitchen, an employee training area, a video conference room, and five private offices. The design reflects the athletic aesthetic of the company’s brand, featuring wood walls resembling gym flooring, stadium-style seating, wood and aluminum bleacher seats mounted to the lobby wall, a 60-foot LED ticker running along the corridor, and a 21-panel LED screen wrapping from the lobby wall onto the ceiling and extending into the multipurpose space. A glass wall separates the lobby from the entertainment space, meeting a curved exterior wall with unique booth seating spaces for entertaining. These unique touches make this new addition feel like an extension of the company’s culture and are sure to make a lasting impact on visitors to the space.

WUSTL | The Olin Library Transformation

The John M. Olin Library - the academic centerpiece of Washington University in St. Louis' Danforth Campus - will soon undergo a $13.5 million renovation with construction scheduled to start in summer 2016. The Olin Library Transformation design effort is being led by Ann Beha Architects (ABA). V Three Studios was selected in the summer of 2015 to work with ABA as the local, associate architect for the renovation of this essential building at the world-class university. V3's responsibilities focus primarily on the design of the expanded Whispers Café; the food service area within Olin Library.

With its construction in 1960 and renovation in 2004, the University is further modifying Olin Library into a center for 21st century scholarship by adding extra space for study, exploration, technology and special collection storage. A central feature of the renovation will be the Newman Tower of Collections and Exploration; a four-story glass volume rising within the atrium of Whispers Café. The tower's base will extend down into newly constructed space one level below grade and be anchored by a new "exploration hub" that consolidates emerging information technologies into one highly visible facility accessible to the campus community. The Olin Library Transformation will allow the building to adapt to current technologies and modern library functions while creating new connections between the users and staff and reinforcing the library as the heart of the campus.

National Blues Museum to Open April 2, 2016

The National Blues Museum is a signature project for V Three Studios that will be opening to the public in downtown St. Louis on April 2, 2016. The 23,000 sq ft space has been completely transformed from a turn-of-the-century department store into a modern, interactive celebration of blues music that is anticipated to attract up to 100,000 visitors per year. Along with the exhibit spaces, the museum houses a 100+ person theater and performance space for hosting live concerts and events. The theatre has direct views to the MX district through a glass acoustic wall assembly along Washington Avenue. V3 also designed a flexible workspace that will serve as administrative offices and an educational center for local schools and organizations.

Supported by renowned musicians and personalities such as Buddy Guy, Morgan Freeman, John Goodman, Derek Trucks and Jack White, the National Blues Museum features an array of exhibits and artifacts intended to inform visitors of the heritage of the blues and the effects the genre has had on contemporary music. As visitors move through the exhibits containing memorabilia and artifacts from blues history, a series of interactive touch panels will allow them to become a “Blues Legend” by creating their own pseudonym, lyrics, instrumentation and album artwork. After completing each of the steps, visitors will be able to take their completed “album” home as a souvenir. The museum also includes a real-time interactive music experience called "Jug Band Jammin'" in which users can play traditional blues instruments along with performers on interactive screens. All of these unique features are housed in a rustic yet modern space that is anticipated to become a major tourist attraction in downtown St. Louis.

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

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.